in touch in rear, ridden over 2f out, not trouble leaders
tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
made all, quickened pace 3f out, clear approaching final furlong, ran on strongly, impressive
tracked leaders, pushed along to chase winner 2f out, edged right and outpaced final furlong, lost 2nd close home
close up, ridden and weakened 2f out
in touch, pushed along and headway 2f out, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner
ROARING LION is clearly the one to beat on his second in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in October. He may well have maintained his unbeaten record that day had he not hung in the closing stages and his defeat of Nelson in the Royal Lodge here earlier has already been franked this season. Glorious Journey won both starts last year, making all in a Group 3 at Saint-Cloud on his second outing. However, he only had three rivals in that contest so is still something of an unknown quantity. White Mocha is clearly suited by a galloping track as he’s already won over a mile at Haydock and Newbury, though this requires another step forward. Masar won a Group 3 last year but was tailed off when strongly fancied for a Listed race at Meydan on his reappearance so has a bit to prove now.
Glorious Journey (8-13) won at Saint-Cloud 7f Grp 3 gd in Sep beating Feralia (8-10) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Just Brilliant (IRE) 10-3 (9-2) Led narrowly, pushed along 2f out, headed briefly inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m stks (4) gd in Oct beating Silver Quartz (9-2) by 1l, 9 ran.
Masar (IRE) 5-6fav (8-9) 10th of 13, dist behind Yulong Warrior (8-9) at Meydan 1m 1f lst stks fst in Mar.
Roaring Lion (USA) 8-1 (9-1) Held up in last pair, smooth headway near side of group 2f out, chased winner and edged left over 1f out, led and hung left inside final furlong, headed towards finish, kept on, 2nd of 12, nk behind Saxon Warrior (9-1) at Doncaster 1m Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Oct.
Sir Hamilton (IRE) 4-1 (9-10) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on and just held close home, 2nd of 5, shd behind Book of Dreams (9-6) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (4) pol in Mar.
White Mocha (USA) 13-8fav (9-1) Held up in touch, smooth headway near side of group 3f out, led going well 2f out, clear over 1f out, driven and strongly pressed well inside final furlong, just held on, all out, won at Newbury 1m stks (2) gd in Sep beating Knight To Behold (8-12) by ns, 7 ran.
Thunderhooves 100-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 15, 26 1/4l behind Thrave (9-0) at Newmarket 7f mdn stks (4) gs in Sep.