restless in stalls, slight lead until halfway, chased leader, every chance when carried left to far rail from 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened well inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, went never nearer 3rd well inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, outpaced 2f out, soon hung left and weakened
awkwardly away, raced keenly, soon tracking leading pair, pushed along over 2f out, smooth headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon quickened clear, easily
held up in last pair, headway over 1f out, stayed on into never nearer 4th well inside final furlong
steadied start, took keen hold and held up towards rear, headway far side under pressure over 1f out, plugged on inside final furlong, never going pace to threaten
with leader, led narrowly halfway, hung left from 2f out and ended on far rail, ridden and headed inside final furlong, soon outpaced and no chance with winner, just held on for 2nd
always towards rear, never on terms
took keen hold in mid-division, pushed along chasing leaders 2f out, weakened well inside final furlong
Spiritofhayton went close here on his debut but looked to have little excuse for a poor effort over track and trip last time when Coral Princess was also well beaten. Trenchard never figured over 7f at Southwell on his debut and though better is expected from him, ARMANDIHAN is still preferred. Kevin Ryan’s colt was placed in both starts last year and showed enough to suggest he can score at this level on the all-weather. Newcomers to keep an eye on include the half-brother to winners on the all-weather, Temir Kazyk, and Hugo Palmer’s Harlow.
Armandihan (IRE) 15-8fav (9-5) Tracked winner, driven and lost place 2f out, ridden when hung left over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3 1/4l behind Baashiq (9-5) at Redcar 1m mdn stks (5) gs in Oct.
Cray (IRE) 22-1 (9-5) Towards rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 12, 15l behind Middle Kingdom (9-5) at Newcastle 1m mdn stks (4) pol in Nov.
Elements Legacy 25-1 (8-7) With leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 19 1/4l behind Golden Opportunity (9-6) at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Harlow Harlan's Holiday colt out of Glowing.
Spiritofhayton (IRE) 9-4jfav (9-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace left 3rd last 100 yards, 3rd of 8, 8 3/4l behind Excel Again (9-5) at Newcastle 1m mdn stks (4) pol in Feb.
Temir Kazyk Oasis Dream colt out of Tingling.
Trenchard (USA) 4-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, behind, headway on outside chasing leaders over 4f out, ridden and one pace in 4th when edged left over 1f out, 4th of 10, 6 1/2l behind Kencumin (8-11) at Southwell 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.
Coral Princess (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Slowly away, in rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 17l behind Excel Again (9-5) at Newcastle 1m mdn stks (4) pol in Feb.
Stretewise (IRE) 100-1 (8-7) Led until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 6 3/4l behind Signe (9-12) at Newcastle 1m mdn fll stks (5) pol in Feb.