towards rear, pushed along halfway, switched right and headway over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, no extra final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, kept on under pressure final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
held up in touch, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on
towards rear, never dangerous
In the finale, Smart Enough gets the nod over Kapil and Tell. A Group winner last season, Caradak ran well enough at Redcar last time to suggest that he retains ability enough to compete at this level. Such was the manner of Smart Enough's win in a Conditions race at Bath last time, he rates as a player as his stable had been affected by the virus earlier in the year so he comes here fresher than most. The runner-up that day, Dijeerr has a length and a half to find from that race. The 2003 Haydock Sprint Cup winner, Somnus, could yet be interesting on only his second try at a mile, while the highest-rated of these runners is Tell and, much as his chance is there for all to see, he might be better on soft going. Finally, it would be folly to rule out a good run in first-time blinkers for South African raider Kapil as he steps up in trip from his British debut and, much as he has been running well lately, European Dream needs to improve if he is to land his fourth win from his last five starts today. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Smart Enough.
Kapil (SAF) 16-1 (9-1) Held up, hung left over 1f out, never dangerous, 9th of 17, 7l behind Greek Renaissance (9-1) at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Caradak (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Appalachian Trail (9-0) at Redcar 7f lst stk (1) gd in Oct.
European Dream (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Held up, headway 3f out, challenged final furlong, soon led, driven out, won at York 1m 1f hcap (2) sft in Jul beating Greek Envoy (8-13) by a nk, 9 ran.
Smart Enough 5-1 (9-1) Broke well, tracked leader, led approaching 2f out, ran on well, won at Bath 1m stk (3) gf in Oct beating Dijeerr (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Tell 28-1 (9-3) Chased leader, led 6f out, ridden and headed 2f out, staying on when short of room near finish, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Windsor Knot (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Caldra (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 12th of 15, 10l behind Miss Lucifer (8-12) at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 (1) gs in Oct.
Jalmira (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Mid-division, 7th for much, ridden and closed over 1f out, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Cork 1m lst stk (1) gd in Oct beating Hard Rock City (9-4) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Striving Storm (USA) (8-11) Prominent, led 3f to over 4f, driven over 2f out, soon one pace, 9th of 10, 18l behind Literato (8-11) at Deauville 1m 2f Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Somnus 14-1 (8-11) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, no impression, 5th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Appalachian Trail (9-6) at Doncaster 7f stk (3) gd in Oct.
Dijeerr (USA) 7-2jt-fav (8-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Appalachian Trail (9-6) at Doncaster 7f stk (3) gd in Oct.
