took keen hold, tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened over 2f out, eased once beaten
prominent, ridden over 2f out, held when edged left over 1f out, stayed on one pace inside final furlong
with winner, pushed along 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up, pushed along from 3f out, headway 2f out, hard ridden inside final furlong, stayed on
close up, ridden to go 2nd just over 1f out, hung left 1f out, stayed on, no impression on winner
held up, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
made all on stands' rail, quickened from 2f out, ridden over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, comfortably
Milk It Mick sprung a surprise when landing this at odds of 33/1 last year but there should be no such shocks 12 months on with Etlaala holding solid claims and getting the vote over Shamardal and Oratorio. The selection has looked a top prospect in winning his two starts a Newbury maiden and the Champagne Stakes, latterly when not enjoying the clearest of runs but showing good speed to beat Coventry winner Iceman. Mark Johnston's Shamardal has looked impressive in winning his two outings so far and rates a bigger threat than either of the Godolphin runners Librettist and Perfectperformance, neither of who may be fully effective under the conditions. Peter Chapple-Hyam has had a good season with his juveniles so Montgomery's Arch has to be respected but this looks a tough assignment for the son of Arch and a bigger danger may be Aidan O'Brien's Oratorio who is progressive and has, like several recent winners, had plenty of experience. Etlaala showed plenty of class at York though and, with the ground conditions expected to suit being by Selkirk, he gets the vote to remain unbeaten.
