held up last, ridden over 3f out, one pace and never dangerous
prominent, chased leaders 2f out, kept on final furlong, not paced to challenge
led until headed narrowly over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong
tracked leader, led narrowly just over 1f out, unable to draw clear, stayed on well final half furlong
held up mid-division, switched left to outer over 2f out, unable to quicken, soon one pace
steadied start, settled 8th, no impression over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
took keen hold towards rear, ridden along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
held up 3rd, ridden over 2f out, no progress, stayed on same pace
Norse Dancer is already Group class and should have too much class at this stage for Stream of Gold and Hurricane Alan. Norse Dancer has not been the punters pal in the past, but he showed plenty of grit when battling home to beat Hurricane Alan by a neck to land the Earl Of Sefton Stakes last time. The latter reopposes on three-pound worse terms so should be held, although it must be remembered that he had David Elsworth's runner back in fourth when taking this 12 months ago. However, Norse Dancer will be fit this time and can beat Hurricane Alan again. Stream Of Gold was no surprise winner of the Lincoln, as connections already thought that he was Group class, but Sir Michael Stoute's five-year-old faces his stiffest test to date. Polar Ben won a Group 3 at Newmarket last October but may need the run, and Pentecost will have to step up markedly on his victory in minor company at Thirsk. With Richard Quinn in the saddle again, Norse Dancer is very much the one to beat.
African Sahara (USA) 150-1 Held up, never dangerous, last of 10, 19l behind Norse Dancer at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 gf.
Babodana last of 7, 7l behind Valentino at Saint-Cloud 1m Grp 3 hvy in Mar.
Brunel (IRE) 12-1 Took keen hold, held up 3rd, ridden over 2f out, not quicken, soon behind, 6th of 7, 14l behind Chic at Goodwood 1m Grp 2 (A) gs in Aug.
Hurricane Alan (IRE) 13-2 Soon led, headed over 3f out, rallied to lead again over 2f out, hung left inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Norse Dancer at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 gf.
Norse Dancer (IRE) 10-3fav Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, ran on to lead near finish, won at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 gf beating Hurricane Alan by a nk, 10 ran.
Pentecost 4-1 Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, no much room when switched right over 1f out, ran to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Thirsk 1m stk sft beating Mine by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Polar Ben 11-2 Held up, headway and not clear run over 2f out, soon switched left and ridden, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 13l behind Firebreak at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 (A1) sft in Oct.
Stream of Gold (IRE) 5-1fav Mid-division stand side, headway over 2f out, led overall over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, ran on, won at Doncaster 1m hcp gd beating New Seeker by 3l, 22 ran.
