raced wide in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
close up, effort when not much room inside final furlong, ran on
keen in touch, pushed along and switched left approaching final furlong, stayed on, never able to challenge
held up in rear, switched left over 1f out, headway entering final furlong, led inside final furlong, pushed out
NonRunner
Subsequent Derby winner Masar won this last year but this is better known as a 2000 Guineas trial. Masar’s connections are this year represented by Zakouski, who has been very well backed for the first classic of the season since beating a previous winner at Kempton in November but will need to improve markedly on that effort to take this. Godolphin also run Royal Marine and he has the stronger profile having won a Group 1 at Longchamp in October, though he disappointed at Meydan at the start of the year. Placed in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last summer and also in the Solario at Sandown, when ahead of Watan, CONFIDING looks certain to relish the step up to a mile and could be some value at the likely odds. The unbeaten Set Piece and the once-raced Skardu also warrant a mention.
Global Spectrum 4-6fav (9-4) won at Kempton 7f stks (5) pol in Feb beating Derry Boy (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Jackstar (IRE) 8-11fav (9-6) won at Wolverhampton 7f stks (5) pol in Mar beating Delta River (10-0) by 2l, 12 ran.
Momkin (IRE) 1-7fav (9-9) 2nd of 7, hd behind Palavecino (9-2) at Ffos Las 7f stks (5) gs in Aug.
Royal Marine (IRE) 8-11fav (9-1) 4th of 13, 16l behind Walking Thunder (8-9) at Meydan 1m fst in Jan.
Set Piece Evensfav (9-9) won at Newcastle 1m stks (4) pol in Jan beating Sparkle In His Eye (9-2) by 3l, 7 ran.
Skardu 33-1 (9-0) won at Newmarket 7f mdn stks (4) gf in Sep beating Velorum (9-0) by 2l, 14 ran.
Watan 8-11fav (9-8) won at Leicester 6f stks (4) gs in Oct beating Dazzling Dan (9-2) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Zakouski 5-2 (9-2) won at Kempton 7f stks (5) pol in Nov beating Headman (9-9) by 2l, 13 ran.
Confiding 6-1 (9-1) 3rd of 6, 7 3/4l behind Too Darn Hot (9-1) at Sandown 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Prince Eiji (8-12) 5th of 7, 5 1/4l behind Duke Of Hazzard (8-12) at Deauville 1m lst stks gs in Oct.