held up in touch, chased leaders 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, led and switched right after 2f, ridden and hard pressed over 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra well inside final furlong
held up in touch, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace final 2f, never on terms
held up in rear, switched outside and driven well over 3f out, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd over 1f out, no chance with leading pair
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5f out, driven to challenge over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, eased near finish
led 2f, chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon no impression with leading pair, lost place over 1f out
raced keenly, prominent 3f, soon behind, lost touch over 2f out
Nonrunner
In a trappy affair it may pay to side with the form pick RIO DE LA PLATA, with Cityscape, Balcarce Nov and City Style others to consider. Rated 114, our pick really should have no trouble despatching these if running to within a few pounds of that figure, but there has to be some doubt as to his ability to do just that as he's not won since his juvenile season in 2007. Back then he looked a genuine Group One performer and connections will rightly be hopeful he can get his career back on track by taking this lesser affair. Cityscape ran well in a warm handicap on his return before disappointing followers last time. However, that was in a messy race and this should be more suitable so Roger Charlton's highly regarded sort is a live threat to our pick. Balcarce Nov has his conditions but whether he's quite up to winning this is questionable as he was held in an admittedly competitive handicap last time, so a bigger threat may emerge in the shape of City Style, who should improve for his first run in 203 days last time. He's at home under conditions and the feeling is the best is yet to come from this son of City Zip. Captain Brilliance was an unlucky second in the Bunbury Cup last season but disappointed thereafter and can be opposed on his seasonal return along with Aspectus, who hasn't been with Jamie Osborne for long and may need a run or two to be seen to best affect. The betting will shed more light on the confidence of his connections but Rio De La Plata should be good enough to win this.
Aspectus (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) In touch, one pace final 2f, 4th of 13, 1 1/4l behind Calming Influence (9-4) at Meydan(UAE) 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 in Feb.
Balcarce Nov (ARG) 13-2 (8-13) Raced wide, took keen hold, tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, pressed winner entering final furlong, not quicken and lost 2nd post, 3rd of 10, nk behind Fareer (9-1) at York 1m listed hcp 0-110 (1) gf in May.
Captain Brilliance (USA) 16-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Mia's Boy (8-11) at Doncaster 7f cond Stakes (2) gs in Oct.
City Style (USA) 7-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, unable to quicken 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 5, 5l behind Harrison George (9-2) at York 7f cond Stakes (3) gf in May.
Rio de La Plata (USA) 5-1 (8-13) last of 12, 39l behind Imbongi (9-1) at Meydan(UAE) 1m Grp 2 gf in Mar.
Carcinetto (IRE) 50-1 (9-2) In rear, ridden and weakened 2f out, 10th of 13, 10l behind Dubai Dynamo (9-4) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in May.
Gessabelle 100-1 (8-5) Led, hung left over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 13l behind No Explaining (8-12) at Nottingham 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Cityscape 4-9fav (9-0) Rousted along leaving stalls, soon tracked leading pair, pushed along over 3f out, chased winner 2f out, driven to challenge when carried right final furlong, stayed on, always held, 2nd of 4, nk behind King Of Dixie (9-0) at Ascot 1m Listed stks (1) gd in Apr.
