in touch, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened
prominent, lost place 2f out
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer
dwelt, behind, driven halfway, some late headway, never nearer
led until inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakening when hung right inside final furlong
chased leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
A wide open beginning to proceedings, with nearly half the runners seeing a course for the first time; the remainder have only raced once each, and none of them were placed, but we'll tentatively side with experience and promise in the form of MARINE SPIRIT ahead of Mr David and Ghost. The Godolphin colt is entitled to come on from a fourth place at Goodwood in May; breeding suggests he could have a decent career, and he's got a couple of good entries for later in the year. Mr David was a costly purchase, and like the selection was just outside the frame on debut at Windsor. Further improvement's expected, but this is a better race. Ghost didn't settle very well on debut, but if able to do so this time should be involved. Mark Johnston's two year olds are in fine form and are capable of winning first time out, and Comedy Hall looks among the pick of the newcomers. The market can give us some solid clues here; only once in the last ten years has this contest been won at a double figure price, and our support goes with MARINE SPIRIT.
Argyll 66-1 (9-3) Dwelt, always outpaced in rear, never a factor, 8th of 11, 18l behind Lucky General (9-3) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Captain Bluebird (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Slowly away, ran green in last trio, well behind final 2f, 5th of 9, 14l behind Florio Vincitore (8-9) at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol.
Centigrade (IRE) Verglas colt out of American Queen.
Comedy Hall (USA) Valid Expectations colt out of Comedy At The Met.
Ghost (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden and ran green 2f out, kept on, not pace to trouble leaders, 4th of 11, 9l behind Lucky General (9-3) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Lethal Combination (USA) Broken Vow gelding out of Yard.
Marine Spirit (GER) 9-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up, progress into 3rd over 1f out, faded inisde final furlong, 4th of 9, 6l behind Fremont (9-3) at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in May.
Mr David (USA) 5-2 (9-3) Chased leader after 1g, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 9, 7l behind Dorback (9-3) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Ongoodform (IRE) Invincible Spirit colt out of Elfin Queen.
Waabel Green Desert colt out of Najah.
Precious Coral (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Always in rear, last of 14, 17l behind Bella Swan (9-0) at Newmarket 6f 2yo stks (2) gf.
Gold Crusher (USA) 9-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, weakened 2f out, ridden over 1f out, 4th of 6, 6l behind Niran (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo nov stk (4) gf in May.
Luminous Star (USA) 16-1 (9-3) Went left start, behind, headway on far rail over 2f out, keeping on when not much room entering final furlong, stayed on, 5th of 16, 7l behind Classic Colori (9-3) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf.
Regal Rave (USA) 33-1 (9-3) Behind and soon ridden along, outpaced throughout, 9th of 11, 20l behind Lucky General (9-3) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
