tracked leader, ridden and edged left over 1f out, kept on under pressure
held up in touch, driven to challenge over 1f out, beaten when slightly hampered inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pulled hard, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on
led, hung right and headed 2f out, under pressure and bumped over 1f out, kept on
slowly into stride, in touch, pulled hard, weakened well over 1f out
tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden clear
held up in touch, headway over 1f out, hung right inside final furlong, ran on
in rear, some headway over 2f out, never dangerous
slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden well over 2f out, never on terms
Not by any means a vintage renewal of this Classic trial, and we take Sir Xaar to be too good for Killybegs, Mulaqat and City Of Troy. The selection will relish these conditions on the fast side of good and should show plenty of speed. The way they have been running on the Rowley Mile so far suggests that if in-form Bryan Smart's colt can dictate matters then with stamina also in his pedigree he may be good enough to ang on and take this valuable prize. Killybegs will certainly get home and will be well supported after Barry Hills' cracking start to the campaign. Short-headed here over seven furlongs last time, a mile looks certain to be to his advantage and if the selection goes off too quickly then he will be waiting to pounce. Mulaqat gets the conditions he also relishes and notched up a hat-trick late last season. Definitely on the upgrade then, it will be interesting to see how he has strengthened up over the winter and he won't be far away. Of the remainder, City Of Troy was far from disgraced in Group 2 company when last seen out and also has that experience over a mile to draw upon. Kieren Fallon's assistance from the plate is not underestimated here, and if the colt is straight enough then he can be closely involved, while Cousteau and Gin Jockey are not dismissed readily. Notebooks at the ready then, but if you must play then Sir Xaar is the suggestion.
Areyoutalkingtome 10-11fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, effort and stayed on well final furlong, 3rd of 11, nk behind Mary Delaney (8-12) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
City of Troy 11-8fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, pushed along well over 2f out, soon no impression, 4th of 8, 4l behind Leo (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Sept.
Cousteau 9-4fav (8-11) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied near finish, 2nd of 13, nk behind Book Of Music (8-11) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Gin Jockey (FR) (8-11) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Deauville 7f in Aug beating Stadore (8-8) by a hd, 7 ran.
It's A Dream (FR) 33-1 (9-0) Started very slowly, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, won at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec beating Billich (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Killybegs (IRE) 9-2 (8-9) Led, ridden 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, rallied near finish but always held, 2nd of 9, shd behind Aussie Rules (8-9) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Sept.
Metropolitan Man 25-1 (8-9) Keen, held up, lost place 3f out, soon ridden, ran on inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Aussie Rules (8-9) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Sept.
Mulaqat 5-4fav (8-13) Chased leader, ridden 2f out, edged right and led inside final furlong, won at Leicester 7f 2yo stk (4) gf in Oct beating Silidan (8-10) by a hd, 5 ran.
Sir Xaar (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, nk behind Cool Creek (8-12) at Newbury 6f Grp 2 (1) gf in Sept.
