tracked leader in centre trio and prominent overall, weakened final furlong
led quartet on far rail and overall, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, unchallenged
slowly into stride, raced keenly, held up 3rd in centre trio, headway and hung right towards far side over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside furlong
raced in 3rd in far side quartet, switched left inside final 2f, 3rd and one pace final furlong
tracked winner in far side quartet, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened soon after
led centre trio and close 3rd overall, 2nd over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to challenge
raced keenly, held up last in far side quartet, outpaced 2f out, no chance after
Entered in both the 2000 Guineas and Dante and representing last year’s winning trainer, Almashriq will be a short enough price on his reappearance having made a winning debut at Newcastle in December. FOX CHAMPION makes more appeal on this occasion as the Hannon colt is now rated 90 after beating Franz Kafka, due to run earlier on the card, at Doncaster last month. Further progress is expected and he should go close again despite having a bit to find on these terms with Almufti. Third in the Horris Hill at Newbury in October with a below-par Dirty Rascal behind, the former is also in the 2000 Guineas but the remainder have it all to do at the weights in this company.
Dirty Rascal (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) 5th of 8, 11 1/4l behind Mohaather (9-0) at Newbury 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Oct.
Fox Champion (IRE) 9-4fav (9-9) won at Doncaster 7f stks (5) gf in Mar beating Franz Kafka (9-2) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Almashriq (USA) 8-11fav (9-2) won at Newcastle 7f stks (5) pol in Dec beating Cape Victory (9-2) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Almufti 9-1 (9-0) 3rd of 8, 6 1/2l behind Mohaather (9-0) at Newbury 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Oct.
Battle Of Waterloo (IRE) 100-1 (9-5) last of 9, 24 1/4l behind Bye Bye Hong Kong (9-5) at Chelmsford City 1m stks (2) pol in Apr.
Double Kodiac (IRE) 9-4jfav (9-9) 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Top Breeze (9-2) at Kempton 6f stks (5) pol in Oct.
Havana Rocket (IRE) 11-10fav (9-7) 3rd of 6, 2l behind Prince Of Harts (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Mar.