held up, headway to join leader over 7f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
soon led, headed over 8f out, remained prominent, challenged 3f out, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken
always towards rear
mid-division, took keen hold, pushed along over 3f out, not clear run and switched right over 2f out, soon ridden and unable to quicken, stayed on inside final furlong, no impression
mid-division, not much room 8f out, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
soon handy on outside, ridden over 2f out, kept pressing leaders until no impression final 125 yards
held up in mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
held up, eased out left 3f out, headway 2f out, ran on well from over 1f out to lead and edge right inside final furlong, ran on
last to break, always in rear
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish
held up in rear, not clear run on inside over 2f out, staying on when not much room inside final furlong, never able to challenge
led early, with leader, led over 8f out, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
It will be disappointing if VERDANT doesn't prove far better than his initial mark and he should be worth following this season regardless of how he gets on today. He does, however, receive the nod ahead of Zahoo and Senate. The selection was turned over at a short price on debut but made no mistake next time and this half-brother to Main Aim and Home Affairs will be expected to improve as the season progresses. Zahoo won an ordinary affair at the end of last season but everything about her pedigree suggests that she'll improve for longer trips and having another year on her back whilst Senate impressed on his reappearance and the form looks solid enough without suggesting that he's well handicapped. Street Entertainer's second to Rumoush in a Lingfield maiden received a boost from the winner earlier in the month and he should be able to make his presence felt from his current perch whilst Rock A Doodle Do has been in fine form over the winter but the connections of Verdant may have something to crow about after this contest.
Senate 5-1 (9-3) Raced wide into mid-division, progress 3f out, led over 1f out, soon quickened clear, eased inside final furlong, won at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) sft in Mar beating Goodlukin Lucy (8-9) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Averroes (IRE) (0-13) last of 5, 12l behind Behkabad (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 2yo Grp 3 sft in Sep.
Meglio Ancora 20-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden and losing place when hung left from 2f out, 11th of 14, 9l behind Desert Auction (9-6) at Newbury 7f 2yo hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Start Right 7-4fav (9-3) Led 1f, tracked leaders on rail, switched out to track leader well over 1f out, led over 1f out, shaken up entering final furlong, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Oct beating Plato (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Fontley 20-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, switched right over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, no impression, 4th of 14, 10l behind Electric Feel (8-12) at Newbury 7f 2yo lst fll (1) sft in Oct.
Soul Station (FR) 17-2 (8-11) Made all, ridden 2f out, kept on well, won at Salisbury 1m 2yo mdn aut (5) sft in Oct beating Flouncing (8-8) by 2l, 12 ran.
First Cat 11-2 (9-6) Raced along standside, switched right to join centre group after 2f, held up, headway over 2f out, challenged leader approaching final furlong, driven to lead well inside final furlong, headed final strides, 2nd of 9, nk behind Lethal Combination (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Sep.
Higgy's Ragazzo (FR) 15-8fav (9-3) Chased leaders, challenged and edged left approaching 2f out, led entering final 1f, kept on well, won at Chepstow 1m 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Sep beating First In The Queue (9-3) by 1l, 13 ran.
Street Entertainer (IRE) 5-4fav (9-3) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Mar beating Zuider Zee (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Verdant 6-4fav (9-3) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn stks (4) pol in Oct beating Shamir (9-3) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Thundering Home 7-4fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 7, nk behind Beat Route (8-5) at Kempton 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Mar.
Rock A Doodle Doo (IRE) 4-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Paintball (8-6) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Mar.
Zahoo (IRE) 11-8fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, headway to challenge over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, edged right post, won at Haydock 1m 2yo stks (5) gf in Sep beating Dancing Queen (9-0) by 1l, 11 ran.
Jutland 4-1 (9-3) Led, headed over 2f out, ridden and stayed on to regain lead narrowly over 1f out, headed and no extra near finish, 2nd of 13, hd behind Dolphin Rock (8-10) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
