raced wide of the field until joined leaders halway, ridden and every chance 2f out, kept on, soon outpaced by winner
with leader, ridden to lead briefly 2f out, kept on but soon outpaced by winner
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, driven and hung left inside final furlong, kept on
keen raced wide, mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out
intouch, pushed along over 2f out, led well over 1f out, ridden and soon quickened clear, impressive
held up, ridden over 2f out, no impression
always in rear
unruly start, dwelt, in rear, short lived effort 2f out
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
Supporters of St Nicholas Abbey will be hoping to see a commanding performance from ELUSIVE PIMPERNEL who will be expected to confirm Doncaster form with Dancing David and Morana. Life is rarely that straightforward and John Dunlop has yet to open his account for the season but there will be some long faces if the Racing Post Trophy second isn't there or thereabouts. He's expected to make up into a better horse this year and sets the standard so rates the one to beat. Dancing David and Morana were held in fourth and fifth with no hard luck stories so clearly have something to find with the selection as they also do with Lucky General who is rated just 3lbs inferior to the selection following his win in a valuable sales race at the Curragh. Critical Moment didn't enjoy much luck in running when stepped up to a Group 3 and will be suited by this trip whilst Edinburgh Knight has made quite an impression on the all-weather this term but they all have to improve if they're to catch Elusive Pimpernel.
Critical Moment (USA) 14-1 (8-12) Mid-division, driven 2f out, ridden and kept on under pressure final furlong, never troubled leaders, 5th of 14, 2 1/4l behind Carnaby Street (8-12) at Newbury 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Dancing David (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, ran on final furlong, never able to challenge, 4th of 11, 7l behind St Nicholas Abbey (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2yo Grp1 stks (1) gs in Oct.
Dubawi Phantom 16-1 (8-12) Held up behind, ridden and effort on outside over 1f out, hung left and no impression final furlong, 7th of 14, 5l behind Carnaby Street (8-12) at Newbury 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Edinburgh Knight (IRE) 8-13fav (9-0) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar beating Tiradito (9-1) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
Elusive Pimpernel (USA) 4-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon ridden to challenge, not pace of winner, 2nd of 11, 4l behind St Nicholas Abbey (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2yo Grp1 stks (1) gs in Oct.
Lucky General (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Soon settled in rear of mid-division, headway into 6th travelling well over 1f out, challenged under pressure and led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Curragh 6f 2yo aut gd in Sep beating Full Mandate (8-12) by 1 3/4l, 20 ran.
Markazzi 3-1fav (9-3) Raced stands side, held up in touch, hard ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon no impression, 11th of 22, 10l behind Oasis Dancer (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo aut (2) gf in Oct.
Mont Agel 11-8fav (9-3) Close up, always travelling well, shaken up to lead entering final furlong, soon in command, comfrotable, won at Windsor 1m 2yo mdn (4) gf in Oct beating Fine Sight (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Morana (IRE) 18-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure over 1f out, never on terms, 5th of 11, 8l behind St Nicholas Abbey (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2yo Grp1 stks (1) gs in Oct.
