raced keen tracking leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden and some headway over 2f out, no impression approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 1f out, hard driven inside final furlong, led post
set steady pace, headed over 7f out, stayed prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
reared start, held up behind, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up, ridden 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, never nearer
held up in touch, quickened to lead over 7f out, ridden over 1f out, hard driven and edged left close home, headed post
Moon Ballad is the obvious choice after finishing fourth in the UAE Derby behind Essence Of Dubai in his latest outing. He is out of Lowther Stakes winner Velvet Moon, and his previous course experience should stand him in good stead. However, he hung badly on that occasion and was demoted to second place after an enquiry found that he impeded the eventual winner Dusky Warbler. Therefore he does not look one to trust implicitly and could be taken on with Kundooz. A half-brother to Morshdi, winner of middle distance Group 1's in Italy and Germany last term, Kundooz has a decent turn of foot and should improve on his last visit to HQ where he finished a close up third to Right Approach over seven furlongs here last August. He is sure to be seen to better effect now that he steps up in trip and gets the vote ahead of the remainder. Highdown was progressing nicely last term until a disappointing effort on heavy ground in a Group 2 in France in October. That combined with a query about his stamina at this trip make him opposable in this Listed affair. Judgement hails from an in-form stable and should relish this step up in trip and is one to consider. Martin House ran with credit after making a winning debut at York, but still has to find improvement to figure.
