steadied start, held up in rear, shaken and headway approaching final furlong, never on terms
led, ridden and strongly challenged approaching final furlong, headed post
held up in touch, driven and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
pulled hard tracking leaders, under pressure over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in touch, chased leaders halfway, ridden to challenge approaching final furlong, stayed on strongly under pressure to lead post
dwelt, held up towards rear, raced keenly, never dangerous
held up mid-division, ridden and effort over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace final furlong
behind, headway approaching final furlong, soon ridden and edged left, never nearer
tracked leader, driven to challenge approaching final furlong, soon every chance, no extra close home
tracked leader, pushed along to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, nearest finish
Berbice is one of few in this field that doesn't have the Guineas as an objective; this is a prize worth winning in its own right and has tended to favour speedier horses and the Hannon colt fits that category. The connections of the selection will know where they stand with Fat Boy who did well for the yard last year whilst Spirit Of Sharjah, another relative newcomer to the Chapple-Hyam yard, has a bit to prove this term. Berbice did all of his racing over six last term but often shaped as though he'd appreciate this sort of trip. He's closely matched with Philario on their running in the Mill Reef Stakes but we'll take a chance with the Hannon runner. Others to bear in mind include Stimulation and Exclamation who both did well last year. Stimulation looked to have plenty of size and scope last year and it will be interesting to see whether he has strengthened up over the winter. A market check is advised but we're happy to side with Berbice.
Spirit of Sharjah (IRE) 5-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride and squeezed out start, always towards rear, 11th of 12, 12l behind Captain Gerrard (9-0) at Ascot 5f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Fat Boy (IRE) 4-7fav (9-2) Made all, shaken up over 1f out, ran on final furlong, comfortably, won at Ripon 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Aug beating Anosti (8-11) by 3l, 7 ran.
Berbice (IRE) 6-5fav (9-1) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Major Eazy (9-1) at Salisbury 6f 2yo stk (2) gs in Oct.
Philario (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Tracked winner, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 1l behind Dark Angel (9-1) at Newbury 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Sept.
Stimulation (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Held up on stand's side, switched left and good headway over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on strongly final 75 yards, just failed, 2nd of 11, hd behind Beacon Lodge (8-12) at Newbury 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct.
Cake (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Mid-division, switched left over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Captain Gerrard (9-0) at Ascot 5f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Exclamation 13-2 (8-13) Close up, ridden 2f out, soon edged right, driven to lead close home, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo aut (2) gd in Oct beating Anosti (8-2) by a nk, 28 ran.
Maze (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Raced centre, slowly into stride, held up towards rear, some headway over 1f out, never able to challenge, 7th of 12, 7l behind Floristry (8-10) at Doncaster 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Oct.
Royal Confidence 9-1 (8-12) In rear, switched right and headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Kitty Matcham (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo fll Grp 2 (1) gs in Oct.
Brave Prospector 8-15fav (9-3) Took keen hold behind leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 34l behind Savannah Poppy (8-12) at Doncaster 7f 3yo mdn (4) gs in Mar.
Nacho Libre 25-1 (9-1) Raced centre, mid-division, headway over 2f out, every chance 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Floristry (8-10) at Doncaster 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Oct.
