tracked winner until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear and outpaced, soon detached in rear
in rear, never dangerous
in touch, chased leaders over 3f out, chased winner over 2f out, no extra well inside final furlong
towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on
made all, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well
in touch, effort when not much room 2f out, no impression
mid-division, weakened 3f out
mid-division, weakened over 3f out
held up in mid-division, kept on from over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
ULTRAVOX brings the best form to the track with Finest Reserve and Much Acclaimed the most obvious dangers. Having ran up against Emerald Commander and Al Ghazal in maiden company last term, connections can be forgiven for thinking that they have found themselves a significantly easier opportunity. However, there is no such thing as a racing certainty and he has to prove whether he has trained on or not. Finest Reserve chased home Musaafer at a respectable distance at Pontefract and will be the benchmark figure for the assessor to work from. Much Acclaimed is bred to be much better as a three-year-old so it would be no surprise to see him showing improvement. Smarty Sam has a pretty spectacular American pedigree as a son of that hall of famer, Smarty Jones. Mark Johnston's debutants are normally best watched though a cursory glance at Central Bank in the betting is well advised. Henry Cecil has already been among the winners these week so similar comments apply to Florentine Ruler. Ultravox is the most solid option.
Brananx (USA) 10-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 5th of 16, 14l behind Bullwhip (9-3) at Doncaster 7f 3yo mdn (4) gs in Mar.
Central Bank (IRE) Pivotal gelding out of Siringas.
Cosmic Orbit 10-1 (8-11) Mid-division, switched left and effort over 2f out, soon driven and no impression, 5th of 10, 9l behind Aquarian Spirit (8-9) at Newcastle 7f 2yo mdn aut (4) gs in Jul.
Finest Reserve (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Keen, chased winner throughout, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced by winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Musaafer (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sep.
Florentine Ruler (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along to be in touch, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, improve, 6th of 13, 8l behind Psychic Ability (9-0) at Nottingham 1m mdn stks (4) gd in Oct.
Forks Fraam gelding out of Balinsky.
Much Acclaimed (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Close up, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 8l behind Rashaad (9-3) at Doncaster 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Smarty Sam (USA) Smarty Jones gelding out of Ascot Starre.
Star Cruiser (USA) 100-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 10l behind Bond Fastrac (9-3) at Redcar 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jul.
Ultravox (USA) 9-4 (9-3) Close up, chased leader 5f out, ridden over 3f out, driven and evey chance 1f out, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Al Ghazal (9-3) at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Aug.
Elle Est Zafeen filly out of Shafaq.
Princess Of Troy (IRE) Tiger Hill filly out of Actoris.
Gyrate 25-1 (9-3) Dwelt, behind, soon outpaced, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 24l behind Staff Sergeant (9-3) at Southwell 1m 3yo mdn stks (5) fbs.
