held up, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong
keen, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway 4f out, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, edged left and stayed on inside final furlong, not troubled winner
made all, ridden and quickened over 1f out, ran on well
prominent, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
Michael Jarvis has a strong hand with his two-year-olds and for one with so much stamina in his pedigree Matloob showed plenty of speed on his debut and is expected to follow up over a more suitable distance with Desert Dreamer and Spanish Ace rated the main dangers. The selection is a half-brother to the miler Saaryeh, by Halling, and should benefit from the extra two furlongs provided by this contest. Spanish Ace, who finished second in a Group 2 race in Ireland last time, faces a stiff task having to give weight away all round and a bigger danger may be Desert Dreamer. The Barry Hills-trained colt opened his account in a maiden over course and distance earlier this month in the style of a good horse and is entitled to be thereabouts. Mutahayya and Naaddey both won last time and are others to consider, although the latter seemed to appreciate the cut in the ground at Beverley and may not be quite so happy back on a faster surface. Sew'n'so Character gained a well-deserved success at Haydock last time but faces a stiffer task here against Matloob, who looks out of the top drawer.
