chased leaders, ridden and lost place 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway from 11th, went 2nd 3 out, led before 2 out, in command when hit last, driven out
in touch, mistake and ridden 8th, soon dropped to last, pulled up before 11th
in touch, reminders 4th, behind after 10th, tailed off
led, hit 7th, mistake and headed 10th, weakened after next
held up last, raced wide, stayed on from 3 out, went modest 3rd under pressure before 2 out, no impression on front pair
tracked leader, hit 10th, led soon after, headed 3 out, driven and weakened quickly before next, finished tired
chased leaders, went 2nd 11th, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, one pace under pressure from next
Quite how a horse who has been beaten by 100 lengths on his three starts to date can start as the likely favourite is baffling, but nevertheless Philanthropist gets the vote to beat this bunch of trees, with Southern Classic the only viable alternative. Evan Williams' runner has the visor on for the first time today after showing little interest in racing in his runs in much better company so far. His 180,000 guineas price tag is starting to look like a deal done by Del Boy Trotter and if he cannot win this contest then there may be little hope for him. The stable are in fair enough form and he gets the nod. Southern Classic hasn't gone on since making a pleasing bumper debut in a race won by Sir Jimmy Shand but he may be more at home in this better ground and Emma Lavelle's charge could go well, although conceding weight all round makes life tricky. Peter's Two Fun has plenty of experience over timber but one win in 42 races hardly sets the pulse racing. Blueland and Cougar cannot be ruled out but both will need to step up on previous efforts, and so we will return to Philanthropist to do the humane thing and draw racing to a close with a win.
Southern Classic 50-1 (10-12) Led to 2nd, chased leader, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 25l behind Schuh Shine (11-4) at Fontwell 3m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Blueland (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, 7th of 14, 17l behind Shady Anne (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Fair Dual (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Chased winner until well before 4 out, soon outpaced, tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Enlightenment (11-8) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Rural Reprimand 100-1 (11-7) Always behind, tailed off and pulled up at the last in race won by Special Envoy (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Peter's Two Fun (FR) 5-1 (10-1) Chased winner to 8th, soon beaten, 3rd of 4, well behind King Triton (10-6) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Mar.
Cougar (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Led, headed approaching 3rd, weakened 3 out, 7th of 15, 43l behind Thenford Star (11-9) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Philanthropist 28-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, 12th of 15, well behind Shouldhavehadthat (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Cornish Orchid (IRE) 80-1 (10-1) Prominent, raced wide throughout, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 10th of 18, 32l behind Wild Tonto (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Mar.
