soon led, ridden and headed entering final 2f, weakened final furlong
keen in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly away in touch in rear, headway on outer approaching 2f out, soon pressed leaders, no impression inside final furlong
in touch towards rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
tracked leaders, pushed along to press winner over 1f out, not quicken towards finish
tracked leader, ridden 3f out, led entering final 2f, soon pressed, asserted towards finish
Sir Michael Stoute has won this twice in recent years so VITAL EVIDENCE, who is the first foal of Group 1 winner Promising Lead, is handed the vote as he'll have learnt from last year's debut. Godolphin landed this in 2011 and Sadiq showed enough at Nottingham in October to enter the reckoning while Herod The Great belied his 50/1 SP with a fine run behind Vitruvian Lady, also at Nottingham. Sir Henry Cecil won this in 2007 and his widow has entered both Al Guwair and Sagua La Grande. Both are well enough connected to make their presence felt as is Vermont, though he's likely to want further in time.
Hero's Story 50-1 (9-5) Held up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 14, 15l behind Testudo (9-5) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gf.
Herod The Great 50-1 (9-5) Raced wide keen held up, headway 3f out, ridden and every chance when edged left from over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Vitruvian Lady (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 3yo mdn (5) gs in May.
Sadiq 4-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, raced green in rear, pushed along over 4f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, not reach leaders, improve, 4th of 9, 9l behind Autun (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Sagua La Grande (IRE) Teofilo colt out of Water Fountain.
Vermont (IRE) Muhtathir colt out of Venetian Beauty.
Vital Evidence (USA) 12-1 (9-3) Raced centre, dwelt in touch, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, 12th of 19, 14l behind Seek Again (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sep.
Al Guwair (IRE) Shirocco colt out of Katariya.
Diamonds A Dancing Delta Dancer gelding out of Zing.
