led after 1f, quickened 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on but no match for winner
keen in early stages before settling in share of third, pushed along over 2f out but quickened to lead over 1f out, stretched clear, impressive
disputed third, asked for effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
settled at rear, niggled along over 3f out, under pressure 2f out, moderate late headway to take fourth close home
led early before settling in second, ridden over 3f out, under pressure 2f out, stayed on same pace
Bay Bridge represents a yard in fine form with a good strike rate here and steps up in trip on his reappearance. Khezaana also steps up from a mile on her return to action but AL NEFUD may prove the one to side with. He finished in front of a subsequent winner when runner-up over today’s trip at Lingfield on last month’s debut and the Godolphin charge can go one better. King Francis can only improve on last year’s moderate debut effort while Punta Arenas has a tough task on his introduction.
Al Nefud 13-8 (9-5) Awkward leaving stalls, towards rear, headway when ridden over 2f out, switched right and ran on strongly final furlong, could not reach leader, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Polling Day (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f stks (5) pol in Mar.
Bay Bridge 10-1 (9-2) Raced keenly and contested lead, nudged in 2nd after 3f out, soon outpaced, kept on steadily, 4th of 12, 5 3/4l behind Rebel's Romance (9-9) at Kempton 1m stks (5) pol in Nov.
King Francis (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Midfield, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 13th of 14, 23 1/2l behind Adayar (9-0) at Nottingham 1m mdn stks (4) sft in Oct.
Punta Arenas (USA) Quality Road gelding out of Absolute Crackers.
Khezaana (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Quickly away, soon settled in mid-division out wide, wide home turn, ridden and outpaced inside final 2f, plugged on late, 6th of 13, 6 1/4l behind Auria (9-0) at Kempton 1m fll stks (5) pol in Nov.
