raced keenly and prominent, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
broke well, steadied in rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, keen hold, effort over 2f out, soon hung left, stayed on same pace
in touch, under pressure 3f out, soon faded
steadied start, held up towards rear, switched right over 3f out, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
mid-division, effort 3f out, weakened over 2f out
behind, outpaced well over 3f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on, never able to challenge
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on towards finish
pulled hard in touch, under pressure halfway, soon weakened
chased leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace
held up mid-dvision, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace
awkward start, behind, never on terms
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on, not pace to challenge
An open Guineas sees New Approach, Ibn Khaldun and Raven's Pass among the leading contenders and we will side with New Approach. The selection has carried all before him over seven furlongs, winning a Group 3, a Group 2 and more recently finishing his juvenile campaign with back-to-back Group 1 wins including the Dewhurst. The step up to a mile should prove no barrier to success and he acts on any ground, so he has a lot going for him and looks the one to beat. Ibn Khaldun was an impressive winner of the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in October and like the selection makes his reappearance here. He too has done very little wrong and looks another likely improver, but will the Godolphin runners be at the top of their game so soon. Certainly the cooler spring won't help their cause and we are prepared to take him on. John Gosden saddles Raven's Pass, who was just pipped by Twice Over in the Craven over c&d last time. He has three lengths to find with New Approach from the Dewhurst and if both are straight enough it is hard to see him finding that. Aidan O'Brien sends over both Plan and Henrythenavigator. The latter colt won last year's Coventry Stakes but also has over three lengths to find with the selection on their running of last August, while the former was impressive at Leopardstown last October and is pitched in here against the big boys, but he could be anything. Perfect Stride could be a good deal better than he has shown so far and can go well at a price, but New Approach can extend his 100 per cent record in the first Classic of 2008.
Alfathaa 7-1 (8-12) Soon prominent, keen hold, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 1 1/2l behind City Leader (8-12) at Ascot 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) gs in Sept.
Bahamian Kid 33-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 16l behind The Oil Magnate (9-3) at Doncaster 7f 3yo mdn (4) gs in Apr.
Dream Eater (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Dark Angel (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Fireside 5-6fav (9-3) Raced centre, tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon challenged, driven and stayed on gamely, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (3) gd in Oct beating Slam (9-3) by a shd, 14 ran.
Henrythenavigator (USA) 11-10 (9-4) Chased leaders, moderate 3rd and driven along halfway, took closer order over 2f out, 2nd over 1f out, no impression, no extra close home, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind New Approach (9-1) at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) sft in Aug.
Ibn Khaldun (USA) 11-4fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Doncaster 1m 2yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct beating City Leader (9-0) by 3l, 12 ran.
Moynahan (USA) 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, edged left and led inside final furlong, ran on well, readily, won at York 6f 2yo mdn (2) gd in Aug beating Iguazu Falls (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
New Approach (IRE) 6-4fav (9-1) Tracked leaders, pushed along 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headway to lead entering final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct beating Fast Company (9-1) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Perfect Stride 1-4fav (9-5) Close up, chased leader 2f out, shaken up to lead entering final furlong, ridden and soon hung left, headed towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Fitzroy Crossing (9-2) at Leicester 7f nov stk (4) gd in Sept.
Plan (USA) 11-4fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, moderate 4th 2f out, ridden and quickened to lead under 1f out, stayed on strongly, impressive, won at Leopardstown 7f 2yo stk c&g gf in Oct beating Tarkari (9-0) by 6l, 17 ran.
Raven's Pass (USA) 11-8fav (8-12) Keen, held up towards rear, smooth headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, edged right and headed near finish, 2nd of 10, shd behind Twice Over (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Scintillo 25-1 (9-1) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 28l behind Twice Over (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Stimulation (IRE) 15-8fav (9-3) Held up in touch, chased leaders halfway, ridden to challenge approaching final furlong, stayed on strongly under pressure to lead post, won at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (1) gd in Apr beating Fat Boy (9-6) by a ns, 11 ran.
Strike The Deal (USA) 14-1 (8-9) Mid-division, tracked leaders over 4f out, led over 2f out, headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 10, 9l behind Honour Devil (9-4) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 1f Grp 2 (1) std in Mar.
Stubbs Art (IRE) 7-2 (8-7) Slowly into stride, took fierce hold and soon in touch, hung right from over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Commander Cave (8-8) at Sandown 1m 3yo hcp (2) gs in Apr.
