tracked leader, headway over 2f out, led and edged right well over 1f out, ridden and drifted left inside final furlong, headed, no extra close home
slowly into stride, held up in touch, smooth headway to track leader 3f out driven 2f out, ridden and one pace when not much room well over 1f out, no extra
dwelt and behind, lost touch 4f out, tailed off and virtually pulled up final 2f, broke blood vessel
led, headed well over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace under pressure, final furlong
held up in touch, headway over 3f out, ridden to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, soon eased
tracked leaders, driven and lost place 4f out, soon behind
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure final furlong to lead close home
This should be a straight match-up between St Andrews and Blythe Knight and the vote is given to the first mentioned. The selection proved that he could stay this trip when putting up a cracking effort at Kempton last month behind Kew Green. He showed a good level of form throughout last season and although he would relish any further rain, he looks to have an outstanding chance here. Blythe Knight will give him the most to do based on his sixth in the Lincoln behind Stream of Gold. He acts on this surface but he has not always been the most straightforward and on that basis we will narrowly pass him over. It will be a surprise if any of the others are good enough here but Primus Inter Pares is lightly-raced and is from a yard in form so might be worth noting in the market. However, St Andrews stands out as the one to beat here and he is given the confident selection.
St Andrews (IRE) 8-1 Tracked leaders, driven to lead approaching final furlong, kept on until caught final stride, 2nd of 20, hd behind Kew Green at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-105 gs in Mar.
Blythe Knight (IRE) 9-1 Towards rear stand side, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final furlong, no impression, 6th of 22, 7l behind Stream of Gold at Doncaster 1m hcp gd.
Devil's Bite 66-1 Close up 2f, soon tailed off, last of 10, 41l behind Magic Glade at Southwell 5f hcp (D2) fbs in Dec.
King's Thought 40-1 Chased leaders stand side, outpaced 3f out, soon beaten, 15th of 22, 18l behind Stream of Gold at Doncaster 1m hcp gd.
Primus Inter Pares (IRE) 7-1 Raced stand side, in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 16, 16l behind Kehaar at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-100 (C) gs in Jul.
Siegfrieds Night (IRE) 25-1 Towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 28l behind Princess Kiotto at Newcastle 2m 3yo hcp (E3) gf in Sept.
Jath 8-1 Mid-division, weakened from over 3f out, last of 10, 23l behind Go Padero at Catterick 7f hcp (D2) sft in Nov.
