always prominent, took keen hold, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up well in rear, shaken up and headway over 1f out, soon hung left, stayed on well
in touch, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong
held up towards rear, headway from 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
in touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
led, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
This should prove to be a very competitive handicap, with recent good form in abundance and we turn to course and distance winner MILITARIST who we expect to get the better of Suruor and Secret Society. The selection created a good impression when winning here on his debut. He followed by finishing runner up and Sandown last time, this still represented a step up and he is expected to do better now in handicaps. He is from a speedy family and his yard are in great form so he looks the best bet here. Suruor had some decent form on the turf last year when with Mark Johnston and put in a fair effort when winning at Warwick last time. He has looked impressive since moving to the Simcock yard and may be the biggest threat to the selection here. Secret Society confirmed the promise he showed on his second run as a juvenile when winning on his seasonal return last time. It remains to be seen whether he's totally straightforward, but he obviously has plenty of ability. Breif Candle also has claims. She makes a return to action today after almost nine months on the sidelines. The filly struggled when last racing and may need to run out here so for our winner we return to John Gosden's Militarist.
Militarist (USA) 9-4 (9-2) Tracked winner on inner to 6f out, stayed 3rd, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Parthenon (9-2) at Sandown 1m con stks (3) gd in Apr.
Brief Candle 33-1 (8-12) Held up and keen, ridden when held and bumped over 2f out, last of 8, 18l behind Rainbow View (8-12) at Ascot 1m 2yo fll Grp 1 (1) gd in Sep.
Secret Society 9-2 (9-3) Close up, tracked leader over 4f out, challenged leader from over 1f out, soon every chance, driven inside final furlong, led final stride, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Apr beating Shabib (9-3) by shd, 4 ran.
Suruor (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, edged right, ran on well, won at Warwick 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf beating Thunderball (9-1) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
Anthology 11-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, one pace, 5th of 9, 6l behind Crackdown (9-7) at Ripon 1m 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr.
Something Perfect (USA) 9-2 (9-6) Tracked leader, led 6f out and flashed tail, ridden and hung right over 1f out, headed towards finish, 3rd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Good Again (9-6) at Lingfield 1m fll hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Russian George (IRE) 5-4fav (8-13) Made all, shaken up 2f out, kept on final furlong, won at Thirsk 1m mdn stks (5) gf beating Monetary Fund (8-13) by 1l, 12 ran.
