tracked leader, edged right 10f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
set strong pace, ridden 3f out, headed 2f out, kept on same pace
travelled strongly, close up, headway 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on, comfortable
steadied start, held up, ridden 3f out, soon struggling, eased over 1f out, soon pulled up and dismounted
close up, in rear, effort and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong
NonRunner
This is no easy task for last year's Irish Derby winner JACK HOBBS but John Gosden's colt should have the class to prevail. Softer ground and a shorter trip were probably to blame for his eclipse on Champions Day at Ascot in October. Simple Verse is a very smart middle-distance filly but she has a Group 1 penalty to shoulder courtesy of her win in the St Leger and subsequent success at Ascot. Big Orange won at this level on the July course last year and was fifth in the Melbourne Cup in November. He ran a cracker when second in the Dubai Gold Cup last month but may find a few of these too quick over the trip today. Exosphere is lightly-raced but has some improving to do and so does Star Storm, though he made giant strides in the autumn. Agent Murphy was second in last year's Irish St Leger but probably needs further than this nowadays.
Simple Verse (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders on outside, pushed along and closed over 2f out, 2nd inside final 2f, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to lead final 50 yards, won at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 1 fll stks (1) gs in Oct beating Journey (8-12) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Big Orange 11-2 (9-0) Tracked leader, led 500m out, headed 100m out but ran on well, 2nd of 0, shd behind Vazirabad (8-8) at Meydan 2m Grp 2 in Mar.
Exospheric 10-3 (8-8) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on to take 3rd place towards finish, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Scottish (8-8) at Ayr 1m 2f lst (1) gd in Sep.
Jack Hobbs Evensfav (9-0) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, idled and ridden 2f out, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Fascinating Rock (9-5) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Oct.
Restorer 5-1 (8-13) Raced keenly, soon held up in last pair, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, went 3rd final strides, no chance with winner, 3rd of 6, 5 3/4l behind Dartmouth (8-13) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f Grp 3 stks (1) pol in Apr.
Star Storm (IRE) 7-2jfav (8-8) Held up in last pair, smooth hedaway on outside over 2f out, led and hung right inside final 2f, soon quickened clear, easily, won at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Oct beating Missed Call (8-12) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Agent Murphy (9-6) 4th of 0, 5 1/2l behind The Blue Eye (9-3) at Doha 1m 4f Grp 1 stks (1) gd in Feb.