held up, pushed along over 3f out, some headway over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
in touch, chased leaders halfway, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
led, challenged over 2f out, ridden, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leader, raced keenly, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden, hung right over 1f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up, pulled hard, headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, never nearer
Rocamadour is the pick of these judged by official BHB ratings but Mick Channon's colt may be flattered by that having run with credit in a couple of Group 1 contests last backend and preference is for Notnowcato, who gets the verdict ahead of Tucker. The last mentioned would have claims if able to reproduce the same level of form that he showed around this time last year but his form tailed off last season and David Elsworth's colt is probably best watched at present. Tolpuddle has claims at the weights but would probably want a softer surface so is probably best left out of calculations unless the rain arrives, while Kew Green is fit from the all-weather but may be better on that surface than on turf. Kings Point is more exposed than most and of more interest may be Ralph Beckett's French import Tau Ceti, who made a winning return after two years absence last October and could be capable of further improvement even at the age of seven. The most interesting runner though is probably Sir Michael Stoute's Notnowcato, who finally looked like he might fulfill undoubted potential when good value for his handicap win here in October. This represents a step up in class for the son of Inchinor but he is lightly raced and open to bags of improvement and makes plenty of appeal in a weak looking renewal of this Group 3 contest.
Bahar Shumaal (IRE) 50-1 (8-10) Led centre group, well on terms, ridden halfway, soon weakened, last of 12, well behind Enforcer (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Calcutta 9-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Kamanda Laugh (9-0) at Newmarket 1m hcp (2) gd in Sept.
Kew Green (USA) 7-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden to chase winner 1f out, effort inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Simple Exchange (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f lst stk (1) pol.
Kings Point (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 7l behind Arakan (8-12) at Goodwood 7f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sept.
Notnowcato 11-4fav (8-11) Held up in touch, edged left over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, won at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct beating Colisay (9-4) by 1l, 15 ran.
Rocamadour 8-1 (9-2) Led, ridden over 2f out, ran on well but not pace of leaders final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1l behind Turtle Bowl (9-2) at Chantilly 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Spanish Don 25-1 (9-3) Raced far side, mid-division, ridden halfway, soon beaten, 18th of 30, 16l behind Blue Monday (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Tolpuddle (IRE) 9-4fav (9-4) Settled 4th, 3rd travelling well entering straight, improved to challenge 2f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Arch Rebel (9-1) at Curragh 1m 2f lst stk (1) gs.
Tucker 16-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 7th of 8, 8l behind David Junior (8-7) at Goodwood 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gf in Sept.
Tau Ceti 33-1 (9-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 2f lst stk (1) sft in Oct beating Ecomium (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
