mid-division, ridden over 1f out, never on terms
raced keenly, led after 2f, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
dwelt, mid-division, lost place over 4f out, soon behind
led 2f, tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, no chance with winner
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, headway 3f out, led 2f out, driven clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, riden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
Sharp Reply is given the vote here with Love Angel and Bureaucrat rated as the main dangers. The selection ran really well in a hot maiden which was won by Tasdeed at Doncaster in October. This colt from the Sir Michael Stoute yard is sure to improve for that debut effort and he looks the one to beat. Love Angel was disappointing when last seen out behind Hamaasy at Musselburgh, but there is surely more to come from this Derby entry. However, he is probably better on a faster surface and unless the market speaks in his favour he is probably best watched. Bureaucrat is from a yard in top form but he will need to improve on his best from last season to get competitive here. Just Bond is an interesting newcomer from the Bryan Smart yard and is worth noting in the market, but for the winner we will return to Sharp Reply.
Barataria 50-1 Towards rear, switched right and effort over 2f out, no impression, 8th of 13, 10l behind Tarraman at Doncaster 1m 3yo mdn gd in Mar.
Bestbyfar (IRE) 16-1 In touch, effort over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 12l behind Market Trend at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn (D2) sft in Sept.
Bureaucrat 9-4fav Prominent, led halfway, headed over 1f out, soon hampered, weakening when hung right inside final furlong, 6th of 20, 8l behind Very Wise at Yarmouth 1m 2yo mdn (D3) sft in Oct.
Just Bond (IRE) Namid gelding, half-brother to dual 2yo winner in Italy and to a multiple winner in Germany.
Love Angel (USA) 5-4fav Dwelt, soon pushed along, outpaced 4f out, ridden and hung left from over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never troubled leaders, 4th of 9, 9l behind Hamaasy at Musselburgh 7f mdn stk gs in Mar.
Sharp Reply (USA) 12-1 Held up towards rear, driven along and headway 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 4l behind Tasdeed at Doncaster 7f 2yo mdn (D3) gs in Oct.
Taakeed 9-2 Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 19l behind Takhmin at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut gs in Mar.
Trafalgar Square 25-1 Held up, never on terms, 8th of 13, 17l behind Grosvenor Square at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (D2) gf in Sept.
