held up, effort over 3f out, never reached challenging position
never better than mid-division
in touch and led over 5f out, clear over 2f out, eased, easily
held up, driven and headway over 4f out, one pace final 2f
took keen hold to lead, headed over 5f out and remained in touch, ridden to chase winner final 2f
prominent, effort over 3f, soon behind
prominent, driven over 4f out, soon beaten
held up, headway over 3f out, one pace final 2f
In a race that lacks strength in depth, Jihaaz gets the call, with Wild Fell Hall and Macorville rated as potentially his biggest dangers. From the Barry Hills yard, the well-bred Jihaaz has shown enough to be high on the list of probables here, and his breeding suggests the going should not be a big problem. Having achieved a rating in the high 70s, Macorville, who has shown that he can go on good to soft, also rates as a major player. Weet For Ever gets a mention in what is, overall, a modest race, while Wild Fell Hall went into our notebooks on his debut, although he failed to build on it next time - on soft going. Having cost 48,000 guineas, the James Fanshawe-trained Lady Galadriel has to be given some thought. Finally, Decree Nisi showed on his debut that he can handle soft and he could be good for a place at least, although the bare form needs to be built upon. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Jihaaz.
Decree Nisi 11-1 (9-0) Dwelt, soon behind, pushed along halfway, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Razed (9-0) at Newcastle 1m 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sept.
Frank Cartwright (IRE) 200-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, always behind, last of 9, 19l behind Ingleby Arch (8-9) at Hamilton 6f 3yo stk (3) gf.
Macorville (USA) 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, hampered 3f out, one pace, 4th of 12, 6l behind Reem Three (8-11) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gs.
Millwood Lad (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Behind, tailed off from halfway, last of 11, well behind Adraaj (8-12) at Newcastle 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (6) gs.
Naval Hero (IRE) 100-1 (9-3) Dwelt, held up, weakened from 3f out, 7th of 9, 17l behind Great Hawk (9-3) at Haydock 1m 3f 3yo mdn (5) gf.
Riverhill (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, 9th of 10, 21l behind Souvenance (8-9) at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Aug.
Weet For Ever (USA) High Yield colt out of a lightly-raced mare.
Jihaaz (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden and edged right over 1f out, stayed on one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Portland (9-3) at Warwick 7f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr.