slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on wide outside, well over 1f out, ran on final furlong, never nearer
pressed leaders for 2f, remained prominent, ridden 2 furlongs out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up and behind, effort on outer 2 furlongs out, weakened over 1f out
keen, prominent, chased leader 3f out to 1f out, weakened final furlong.
held up against far side rail, headway going easily 2f out, narrow lead inside final furlong, just held on.
slowly into stride, soon close up on outer, effort 2f out, ridden to dispute 2nd approaching final furlong, kept on same pace.
in touch to halfway, soon weakened and behind final 2f
close up, not clear run well over 1f out, ran on one paced final furlong.
led, ridden and narrowly headed inside final furlong, kept on well, just held
slowly into stride and outpaced most of way.
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, disputed 2nd approaching final furlong, no extra.
dwelt, held up in rear, ridden and no response 2f out, pulled up and dismounted inside final furlong.
Plenty of usual suspects that are genuine Listed class, if not better, but Bahamian Pirate gets the nomination. The David Nicholls-trained gelding is a Group winner and was fourth in last year's July Cup. A repetition of that Newmarket effort should see him go close. Among his opponents are course and distance winners The Tatling, Little Edward, Boleyn Castle and Shiny. Add to the list last year's Queen Mary Stakes winner Romantic Liason, Geoff Wragg's one-time Classic hope Ego, the King's Stand fifth, The Trader, the 110-rated Pomfret Lad, and last year's Temple Stakes second, Vision Of Night, and you get a further flavour of the standard here. However, we'll stick with Bahamian Pirate to land the opener under Kieren Fallon.
