keen, led 1f, chased leader, led again 10f out, ridden, headed over 2f out, one pace final furlong
keen, chased leaders, ridden, switched left over 3f out, one pace final 2f
held up, headway, hampered over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd final furlong, no chance with winner
slowly into stride, held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, clear final furlong, ran on
mid-division, headway, hung left over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong
led after 1f, headed 10f out, weakening when hampered over 3f out
held up in rear, ridden, headway over 2f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, headway 5f out, ridden, not much room over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
chased leaders, went 2nd 6f out, ridden, edged left over 3f out, weakening when not much room over 2f out
This race invariably produces a good line-up, and this year is no exception with Frank Sonata getting the vote ahead of Shabernak and Dancing Bay. Frank Sonata and Shabernak were second and fourth, respectively, in this race last year, and the former is now five pounds better off for the five lengths that he beat the latter. Of course, it is well documented that he loves to get his toe in, but we still feel that Frank Sonata will go well today. Much as Crosspeace was flattered to have beaten Day Flight by so far in a heavy-ground Listed race at the end of last year, he should be able to progress this season and has been kept busy of late in Dubai. Dancing Bay is talented on his day and comes here fit from hurdling, and is respected, while Larkwing ended last season with a very good Listed-race second, although his wins-to-runs ratio is not good. Finally, Casual Glance seemed to improve in Listed company at the end of last season but, overall - and in keeping with the remainder of the field - needs to pull out more if she is to win today. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Frank Sonata.
Shabernak (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Led for 2f, tracked leading pair after, gradually lost place from 6f out, weakened over 3f out, virtually pulled up final 2f, last of 10, well behind Distinction (9-5) at Goodwood 2m Grp 2 (1) sft in Jul.
Crosspeace (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Led main group, ridden 3f out, every chance 2f out, not quicken, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Shakis (9-4) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 2f hcp gd in Mar.
Dancing Bay 11-8fav (9-2) Held up in rear, headway halfway, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 14l behind Kindling (8-2) at Musselburgh 2m lst stk (1) gd in Nov.
Frank Sonata (9-4) in touch, led over 4f out, headed over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Le Carre (9-4) at Saint-Cloud 1m 7f stk in Nov.
Larkwing (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden and headway over 4f out, chased winner over 2f out, stayed on well, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Land 'n Stars (9-3) at Newmarket 2m lst stk (1) gd in Sept.
Sworn In (USA) 50-1 (8-12) Held up behind leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened and eased over 2f out, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Cruzspiel (9-0) at York 2m 6f stk (2) gf in Jun.
Into The Shadows 10-1 (8-8) Held up, headway 3f out, led on bit approaching final furlong, driven out, won at Southwell 1m 4f Cond Stakes (3) hvy in Mar beating Shalapour (9-1) by 7l, 4 ran.
Casual Glance 66-1 (8-5) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 5l behind Tarandot (9-0) at Yarmouth 1m 6f lst fll stk (1) hvy in Oct.
Fuerta Ventura (IRE) (8-9) Led to over 1f out, kept on when headed, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Viz (8-9) at San Siro 1m 4f lst stk gs in Oct.
