dwelt, in touch, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders in 4th, effort 2f out, led over 1f out, jinked right, ridden out final furlong comfortably
prominent, tracked leader going well enough 3f out, close up and every chance 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt, in touch, driven along 3f out, stayed on final furlong to take 3rd near finish
led for 1f, tracked leader, driven along 4f out, rallied under pressure to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, slightly hampered and not quicken final furlong
held up last, driven along 2f out, not clear run approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace
took keen hold in touch, headway under pressure 2f out, chased winner and bumped 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
led after 1f, headed 2f out and soon weakened
In this Classic Trial, we give the vote to Fracas, with Bridge Loan, Hearthstead Wings and Merger possibly proving to be his main rivals. There appears to be little wrong with the form of the selection's debut maiden win at Leopardstown as the Aidan O'Brien-trained runner-up had earlier shown decent form. Having plundered a big race at Newbury with Indesatchel at the weekend, his handler will be hopeful of doing the same again here with his Derby hopeful. However, the well-related Bridge Loan has caught the eye in winning twice on the all-weather in February and certainly is of interest on his Turf debut, while with Mark Johnston's stable in fair form, the Derby entry Hearthstead Wings, who was third in an Italian Group 1 race on his final start last year, is also another to seriously consider. Kings Quay, who has also been entered at Epsom, ran well to be second in the Feilden Stakes last week and Dermot Weld's Merger, who ran the Racing Post Trophy runner-up Albert Hall to half-a-length in the Beresford Stakes last season, have also to be afforded all due respect. However, he was beaten three-and-a-half lengths by Indesatchel on his seasonal return, which gives David Wachman a line on the value of the form with the selection. With Tragedian (also a Derby entry) and Glen Ida also having shown plenty of promise, this is a decent Classic Trial, and one that we think can be won by Fracas.
Bridge Loan 11-10fav Keen, raced wide in touch, tracked leader going easily over 3f out, led just inside final 2f, clear final furlong, easily, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (D2) pol in Feb beating Comeintothespace by 3l, 6 ran.
Fracas (IRE) 9-2 Always prominent, 2nd halfway, challenged early straight, led under 1 1/2f out, kept on well, won at Leopardstown 1m 2f 3yo mdn sft beating Down Mexico Way by 2l, 12 ran.
Glen Ida 10-1 Mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden to chase leader 2f out, ran on well to lead just inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Kempton 1m 1f 3yo hcp gd in Mar beating Rain Stops Play by 2 1/2l, 17 ran.
Hattan (IRE) 16-1 Slowly into stride, towards rear, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 8th of 11, 4l behind Top Gear at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo mdn gf.
Hearthstead Wings 7-2fav 3rd of 10, 1l behind Konigstiger at Milan 1m Grp 1 sft in Oct.
Kings Quay 14-1 Held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, unable to quicken near finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Rocamadour at Newmarket 1m 1f 3yo lst stk gf.
Merger (USA) 5-4fav Settled 2nd, improved to lead under 2f out, ridden and strongly pressed over 1f out, headed under 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Indesatchel at Curragh 7f 3yo lst stk sft.
Tragedian (USA) 2-1 Raced keenly, prominent, driven to lead entering final furlong, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn pol beating Double Kudos by 1/2l, 11 ran.
