held up in touch, effort and every chance over 1f out when bumped, 2 lengths down inside final furlong, driven and stayed on to lead post
close up, switched left 2f out, ridden, hung right and led 1f out, edged left, hesitated and headed post
led, ridden 3f out, joined over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra
held up in touch, ridden 3f out, no impression
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, joined leader over 2f out, every chance from over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Nonrunner
Tranquil Tiger had little more than an exercise gallop at Pontefract following the withdrawal of his main market rivals and he's the one that they all have to beat here. Henry Cecil's charge had his limitations exposed in Group company at the start of the season but has since won two of his three starts in Listed races. His defeat came over one mile six at York but he still finished about 4 lengths in front of Lion Sands that day and Luca Cumani's well regarded winner will need to improve to get the better of him. That's not inconceivable by any means and he merits respect. Classic Punch won this last year and cannot be dismissed but Eastern Anthem and Red Gala have more obvious claims on recent efforts. The former made a pleasing reappearance at Goodwood when narrowly defeated by Peppertree Lane and rates a progressive individual. He finished just in front of Speed Gifted that day which gives Lion Sands' connections a good line on the form. Red Gala was a neck behind Lion Sands at York and Jimmy Fortune appeals as the type of jockey to get the best out of him. This is a race that Sir Michael Stoute has enjoyed plenty of luck in in the past and he should play his part in a fascinating contest but we'll take Tranquil Tiger to get the crowd roaring.
Lion Sands 9-2 (9-3) Held up, headway 3f out, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on well final furlong, no impression, 4th of 12, 6l behind Samuel (9-0) at York 1m 6f lst stk (1) gd in May.
Tranquil Tiger 1-3fav (9-4) Made all, clear over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on, won at Pontefract 1m 4f lst stk (1) gf beating Dunaskin (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Classic Punch (IRE) 40-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, lost place and weakened over 2f out, 13th of 14, 28l behind Smokey Oakey (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) sft in May.
Group Captain 14-1 (9-0) Behind, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 9th of 13, 13l behind Anna Pavlova (8-13) at Ayr 1m 2f lst stk (1) gs in Sept.
Red Gala 17-2 (9-0) In touch, driven and outpaced over 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 5th of 12, 6l behind Samuel (9-0) at York 1m 6f lst stk (1) gd in May.
Eastern Anthem (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Tracked winner, challenged over 2f out, took narrow advantage entering final furlong, no extra when headed near finish, 2nd of 10, hd behind Peppertree Lane (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f lst stk (1) gd.
