started very slowly, ran green in rear, steady headway on outside over 2f out, ridden and still green over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, led last half furlong, won going away
dwelt, held up towards rear, headway on outside 3f out, challenged 2f out, led and carried head high over 1f out, headed and outpaced by winner last half furlong
dwelt, towards rear, pushed along and struggling 3f out
behind, driven along on inside over 2f out, modest late headway inside final furlong, never in cotention
took keen hold, raced wide in mid-division, ridden and hung right to inside rail well over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
in touch, pushed along over 4f out, weakened under pressure over 2f out
chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 2f out
soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
soon tracked leader, led narrowly 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, chased winner until unable to quicken inside final furlong
took keen hold, held up until headway to track leading pair 7f out, hung right from 2f out, eased when no chance final furlong
DIRECT ANSWER had no response when questions were asked nine days ago but should be sharper now and is preferred to Flotation and Balatoma. The Dynaformer colt has been asked to make his effort from off the pace so far and found things happening too quickly for him over course and distance last time before getting into stride and powering up the hill. He already looks in need of a longer trip on that evidence but he should be improving and may be able to get away with it in this company. Henry Cecil has a line on the form so will know where he stands with the beautifully bred Channel Squadron who is a full brother to Septimus whilst the other newcomer, Hawkeshead, is also related to some smart performers and close attention should be paid to both in the market. All of the runners are unexposed but Balatoma ran well enough in a Salisbury maiden that is working out to make the short-list along with Flotation who took the eye when finishing in midfield as a juvenile in a race that has worked out extremely well but we return to Direct Answer.
Channel Squadron (IRE) Sadler's Wells colt out of Caladira.
Direct Answer (USA) 11-10fav (9-3) Mid-division, switched to outer over 3f out, soon ridden, headway when carried head awkwardly over 1f out, kept on, not pace to challenge, 4th of 15, 4l behind Kensei (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gf.
Hawkeshead Rainbow Quest colt out of Ciboure.
Lamps 20-1 (9-3) Intouch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 16, 7l behind Sunny Game (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr.
Rio Tinto 33-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, keen, held up headway over 4f out, outpaced over 2f out, 7th of 11, 15l behind Film Score (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) gf in May.
Technophobe (IRE) 25-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, always behind, 11th of 13, 13l behind Nurture (8-12) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (5) gf in May.
Trecase 100-1 (9-3) In rear, never near leaders, 11th of 16, 21l behind Man Of Action (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 3yo mdn (4) gd in May.
Balatoma (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 6th of 9, 7l behind Shimmering Surf (8-12) at Salisbury 1m 2f fll mdn stks (5) gf in May.
Flotation (USA) 33-1 (9-0) Half reared start, mid-division, headway over 3f out, ran green and edged right over 1f out, never near leaders, 7th of 20, 8l behind Field Day (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) gd in Oct.
Profligate (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Dwelt, held up, headway when not clear run over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 9, 11l behind Qanoon (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo mdn (4) gd in May.
Telescopic 66-1 (8-12) Always in rear, last of 11, 49l behind Film Score (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) gf in May.
