tracked winner, ridden and weakened well over 1f out
held up, pulled hard, headway over 1f out, soon ridden and every chance, unable to quicken inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, soon one pace
made all, strongly challenged from over 1f out, ran on gamely
held up towards rear, switched right and effort over 1f out, soon weakened
pulled hard, tracked leaders, weakened well over 1f out
tracked winner, keen hold, ridden and effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, soon every chance, kept on final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, pulled hard, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, driven and headway over 1f out, never troubled leaders
This is not a straightforward race but we'll opt for Songlark over Putra Sandhurst and Bandari. Working through the field. Putra Sandhurst looked very useful when winning at Ripon last time and, with his confidence high, he should be a major player here, even though he has to carry a penalty for that success. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Musanid ended last season with a very easy Ripon maiden win and he should progress again this year, but this is by far his biggest test to date. Quiet Storm is likely to progress this year, while Bandari, who was well fancied for the 2002 Derby, ran well for a long way on his return from injury at Newbury last time, and it is interesting that he is now dropped back in trip. If at his best, he could go very well here. The 2002 Melbourne Cup third, Beekeeper, is another who is not without claims even though 10 furlongs is short of his optimum trip. Private Charter was more-highly-tried last season but, even so, probably has something to prove while Amanda Perrett, who won this race last year, runs Orange Touch, but he looks to have a bit to find to score. The Godolphin representative is Songlark. He finished tenth in last year's 2,000 Guineas and, being a big colt, ought to have a good deal of improvement in. He is fitted with a first-time visor today, so don't be surprised if he goes well. Overall, though, in an interesting contest, we will side with Songlark.
