took keen hold in touch, ridden along 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear, pushed along and headway 2f out, driven over 1f out, ran on final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway over 1f out, driven and one pace final furlong
towards rear, pushed along and headway 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
towards rear, headway when not much room over 1f out, no extra final furlong
prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened final furlong
prominent, driven over 1f out, ran on to lead approaching final furlong, kept on
mid-division, effort when not much room over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led, ridden along 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
Compton's Eleven, Obe Gold, Ceremonial Jade, and River Bravo make up the shortlist here with the vote going to the last-named. Peter Chapple-Hyam's Indian Ridge colt should appreciate the step back up to seven furlongs today and whilst fitness has to be taken on trust, if he is fully tuned up he could be hard to beat. Compton's Eleven has been running consistently in Dubai and this seven furlongs on good ground will suit to a 'T'. He is likely to be involved in the finish, as is stablemate Obe Gold although he is arguably better over six furlongs. Jim Goldie has his horses in good form and Dhaular Dhar would be interesting but the suspicion is that he is better over shorter. Zomerlust and Mezuzah cannot be left out of calculations lightly, whilst Ceremonial Jade may appreciate a return to turf and has place claims at least. All in all this looks a very open contest, and we will tentatively return to River Bravo as the nomination.
Indian Trail 40-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 18, 30l behind Rising Shadow (8-7) at York 6f hcap (2) sft in Oct.
Sir Xaar (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, effort 2f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly over 1f out, 11th of 13, 8l behind Sleeping Indian (9-2) at Newbury 7f lst stk (1) gd in Sept.
Obe Gold (8-10) Mid-division, effort and led 1f out, headed close home, 4th of 12, 2 1/2l behind Subpoena (8-10) at Nad Al Sheba 6f hcp gd in Feb.
Ceremonial Jade (UAE) 10-3fav (8-13) Switched right from wide and held up in rear, effort 2f out, soon one pace and beaten, 7th of 12, 4l behind Waterside (9-4) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Dhaular Dhar (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Held up rear, never on terms, 9th of 13, 4l behind King Orchisios (8-10) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Oct.
River Bravo (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Behind and outpaced, never dangerous, 15th of 18, 14l behind Prince Tamino (8-13) at York 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Compton's Eleven (8-10) Tracked leaders, led briefly over 1f out, weakened near finish, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Subpoena (8-10) at Nad Al Sheba 6f hcp gd in Feb.
Zomerlust 8-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Phluke (8-11) at Chester 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Sept.