tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
went violently left start, towards rear, never a factor
badly hampered start, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
badly hampered start keen recovered to track leaders over 4f out, went 2nd over 3f out, weakened final furlong
steadied start in rear, switched right approaching final furlong, kept on, nearest finish
keen close up, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
in touch, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
badly hampered start recover after 2f, in touch, ridden over 2f out, not trouble leaders
led, headed and squeezed out over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
badly hampered start keen always in rear
It's difficult to put a line through any of these. EXPERT failed to cope with Ertijaal, who heads for the 2000 Guineas, in Listed company on the Polytrack last month. Back over 6f today, his best form is certainly good enough to land this. Redcar's Two-Year-Old Trophy winner Ventura Mist should also be thereabouts while Mick's Yer Man returned to form at Leicester recently and Meritocracy ended last season with a victory at Kempton. Jockey bookings point to Kaab's chances ahead of Greeb and the likes of Danzeno, Quiet Warrior and Desert Ranger are open to further progress in a wide-open affair.
Expert (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Held up, headway on inner 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace, 5th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Ertijaal (9-1) at Lingfield 7f 3yo Listed stks (1) pol in Mar.
Ventura Mist 14-1 (8-12) In touch, effort over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 8, 14l behind Al Thakhira (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo fll Grp 2 (1) gs in Oct.
Mick's Yer Man 16-1 (9-4) Always prominent, led over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on well (hand timed), won at Leicester 6f con stks (3) gs beating Wee Jean (8-10) by 3l, 6 ran.
Outer Space 7-2fav (9-0) Chased leaders, weakened halfway, last of 10, 20l behind Mushir (9-0) at York 6f Listed stks 2yo (1) gd in Oct.
Meritocracy (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Held up in last pair, switched left and headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct beating Musicora (9-5) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Danzeno 10-1 (9-5) Dwelt, soon recovered chasing leaders, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon joined, stayed on gamely to assert final 100 yards, won at Redcar 6f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct beating Kommander Kirkup (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
Claim The Roses (USA) 7-4fav (9-7) Steadied start, took keen hold and held up last, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd post, unable to reach winner, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Finn Class (8-12) at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp (2) pol in Oct.
Kaab (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Prominent, led approaching final 2f out, ridden and ran on, won at Yarmouth 6f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct beating Resolute (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Greeb 4-6fav (9-5) Always prominent, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Warwick 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Aug beating Dandeena (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Quiet Warrior (IRE) 4-5fav (9-5) Took keen hold tracking leaders on inside, went 2nd 2f out, shaken up to lead approachiing final furlong, ran on well, won at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Dec beating Gobertier (9-5) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Sleepy Sioux 7-2fav (8-3) Raced stand side chased leader, ridden 2f out, ran on to lead close home, won at Haydock 5f 2yo hcp (2) sft in Oct beating Viva Verglas (9-2) by nk, 11 ran.
Desert Ranger (IRE) 8-15fav (9-0) Keen tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, driven over 1f out, edged left and led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Wolverhampton 6f 3yo stks 0-70 (5) pol in Mar beating Chookie's Lass (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
