slowly into stride, took keen hold and held up last, effort and ridden 2f out, ran green when not much room over 1f out, squeezed through and stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, not reached winner
tracked leaders, under pressure when not clear run over 1f out, switched left and squeezed through inside final furlong, stayed on under pressure to lead final 100 yards
tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, beaten when not much room and squeezed out inside final furlong
led, ridden and strongly pressed from 2f out, headed and unable to quicken final 100 yards, lost 2 places near finish
took keen hold, held up in 4th, driven to challenge on outside over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, not reached winner
Nonrunner
Charm School, General Eliott and Zakhaaref are the three that catch the eye in a hot contest, with Charm School taken to continue John Gosden's terrific run of success. After winning impressively at Redcar, Zakhaaref was then a disappointing runner up when well supported at Bath next time. He makes his seasonal bow here, and given the good form of ther Mark Johnston camp, he is respected. Paul Cole saddles Genral Eliott, a winner on his sole start to date at Newmarket last season. Although he could do little more than win, which he did easily, the form has some question marks against it and he is opposed. Charm School was very impressive when scoring first time out at Doncaster in March, coming right away to score by an easy seven lengths. The form of that win is questionable also, but the manner of his success was so impressive that he cannot be opposed. Charm School may be even better on this quicker surface and he could be anything.
Charm School 11-8fav (9-3) Held up, smooth progress 2f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, ran on final furlong, easily, won at Doncaster 7f 3yo mdn (4) sft in Mar beating Kargan (9-3) by 7l, 12 ran.
General Eliott (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Made all, ridden clear 1f out, eased final strides, won at Newmarket 1m 2yo mdn (3) sft in Oct beating Sortita (8-12) by a nk, 11 ran.
Manassas (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Last straight, always in rear, 7th of 8, 8l behind Rio de La Plata (9-0) at Longchamp 7f Grp 1 (1) gs in Oct.
Zakhaaref 11-10fav (9-5) Led, headed over 4f out, led again 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Meer Kat (8-12) at Bath 1m nov stk (5) gf in Oct.
Steele Tango (USA) 5-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out, headway over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong to lead final strides, won at Kempton 7f 3yo mdn aut (5) pol in Jan beating Autumn Blades (9-3) by a hd, 8 ran.
Fr Dominic (USA) 10-1 (9-3) Always prominent, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, hard ridden and rallied to lead again final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept beating Virtual (9-3) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
