Tomintoul Flyer will need to go close to winning this if he's to justify his Group race pretensions and he's preferred to Tajweed. The selection wasn't beaten far behind the useful Centennial on debut and duly won his maiden with the minimum of fuss before following up in a conditions stakes. He held a Royal Lodge entry last year but connections remarked after his latest start that he was a backward sort who would be a better horse the following season. His entry in the King Edward VII Stakes would indicate that he's trained on and he can take a step towards that target by winning tonight. Tajweed is a tough sort who just keeps pulling out a little more when asked. That will make it difficult for the handicapper to get to him and this progressive gelding has to be on the short-list. Safari Sunup finished in front of Dona Alba when running well in the competitive handicap won by Colony over course and distance; he should come on for that and the form puts him in the mix. Cuban Missile pulled too hard last time and is better than that, City Stable has to put a poor run behind him and Steele Tango has been set a big task by the assessor whilst Taken hasn't appeared to be entirely straightforward. He has to concede racefitness to his rivals but that may not be enough to prevent Tomintoul Flyer from landing the spoils.
Safari Sunup (IRE) 33-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to trouble leaders, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Colony (8-5) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Cuban Missile 8-1 (8-6) Chased leader, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 46l behind Dr Faustus (8-8) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Steele Tango (USA) 33-1 (8-10) Held up in 4th, driven to challenge on outside over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind General Eliott (9-0) at Sandown 1m 3yo stk (3) gs in Apr.
Tomintoul Flyer 5-6fav (9-1) Tracked leader, joined leader over 2f out, soon ridden, hung right, led inside final furlong, asserted near finish, won at Leicester 1m 2f 2yo stk (3) sft in Oct beating Palmerin (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Dona Alba (IRE) 17-2 (8-13) Close up, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 9l behind Colony (8-5) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Tajweed (IRE) 6-5fav (8-12) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, driven and kept on gamely final furlong, won at Redcar 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) sft beating Full Speed (8-7) by 1l, 4 ran.
King Columbo (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Chased leader, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 5l behind Twice Over (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f 2yo stk (2) gd in Nov.
Taken (IRE) 7-2 (8-11) Close up on inside, ridden to chase winner entering final furlong, driven to lead briefly, soon hung right, kept on, 2nd of 7, shd behind William Blake (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
City Stable (IRE) 11-2 (8-8) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 7th of 8, 19l behind All The Aces (9-4) at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Apr.
