led, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden and no extra inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, challenging and upsides rival when impeded by loose horse last 75 yards, kept on to lead close home (disqualified and placed 2nd)
held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, hard pressed, kept on and headed close home (awarded race)
tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, effort over 1f out, one pace
in rear, unseated rider after about 2f
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
close up, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
always towards rear
held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
always towards rear
A cracking turnout with any number of chances, including double representation for both Marco Botti, Keith Dalgleish and Alan King. And it is the latter who's taken to scoop this considerable pot with COSMEAPOLITAN. The gelding has no fitness concerns and impressed the last day when taking the step-up to Class 2 in his stride, scoring at Kempton with seemingly something to spare. Jamie Spencer should suit him well and he can progress again. Stablemate Lexington Law is respected whilst Sofia's Rock has been gelded since last seen in late August and although facing a demanding ask here, the very best of his form when third to Raheen House in Newmarket's Group 3 Bahrain Trophy would see him in the mix. Roger Varian's very lightly-raced Shabeeb has to be noted and strong money for him would be significant, whilst the likes of Al Hamdany, Royal Reserve and Amazing Red are amongst others with perfectly acceptable claims in a wide-open affair.
Sofia's Rock (FR) 16-1 (9-6) In touch, driven and lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 18th of 19, 34 3/4l behind Secret Advisor (9-2) at York 1m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Shabeeb (USA) 8-1 (10-3) Slowly into stride, held up in mid-division, headway over 3f out, close up over 1f out, 3rd and kept on inside final furlong, no impression on winner, 3rd of 9, 4 1/4l behind Mount Moriah (9-0) at Ascot 1m 6f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Stargazer (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, edged left, just held, 2nd of 6, nk behind American Gigolo (9-4) at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Al Hamdany (IRE) 3-1 (8-13) Keen close up, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Mount Tahan (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Island Brave (IRE) 9-4 (9-9) Tracked leaders early, close up 9f out, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, driven and every chance inside final furlong, ran on, just held, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Koeman (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Cosmeapolitan 9-2 (8-13) Steadied start, held up in rear, smooth headway on inside tracking leaders over 2f out, went between horses over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, readily, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (2) pol in Feb beating Kelly's Dino (8-5) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Royal Reserve 6-1 (9-3) Held up in last pair, dropped to rear and pushed along 3f out, headway between horses over 1f out, ridden to lead 150 yards out, stayed on, headed final strides, 2nd of 7, nk behind Island Brave (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Nicholas T 25-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 20, 5l behind Zabeel Prince (9-7) at York 1m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Euro Nightmare (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Towards rear, ridden and weakened 2f out, 9th of 11, 7 1/4l behind Neshmeya (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp fll (2) gd in Oct.
Snowy Winter (USA) 7-1 (9-6) Soon led, headed 9f out, tracked leaders, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, no impression inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 2 1/4l behind Koeman (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Amazing Red (IRE) 15-2 (9-5) Dwelt towards rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on, nearest finish, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Koeman (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Lexington Law (IRE) 9-4jfav (9-9) Held up in last pair, switched right to outside travelling well 2f out, 2nd over 1f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Royal Reserve (9-12) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Eye of The Storm (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Led, driven and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 12, 14 1/2l behind Master Singer (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Oct.
Velvet Revolution 7-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, detached in rear, closer 5f out, modest 4th over 2f out, eased when held close home, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Dubawi Fifty (9-7) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
