held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, went 3rd towards finish
in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, soon outpaced by leader, weakened final furlong
held up, headway when not clear run over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
held up, effort 3f out, weakened 1f out
led to 2f, tracked leader, led 2f out, soon quickened clear and ridden, no extra when caught final stride
led after 2f, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, dropped to last trio 4f out, steadied pace under pressure from over 2f out, finished well final 100 yards, led final stride
This looks to be a head to head between TARTAN BEARER and Pipedreamer with preference being for the former, with Buccellati looking the best of the rest. Sir Michael Stoute won this with an odds on shot last year, and Tartan Bearer can see him land it again, although he was the first winner in five years of the Dante not to go on and win the Derby, being runner up at Epsom. Since then he was third in the Irish derby, his last run. He's got more group entries for this summer here and in Ireland, and is well ahead of today's rivals on official ratings. Pipedreamer is also entered at Ascot and The Curragh, and John Gosden's string are in fine form. Buccellati's back from a disappointing run in Hong Kong in December; his best form seems to come in the autumn here though, as seen when winning in group company last year at Newbury and Newmarket. Brian Meehan's won this before, and brings Charlie Farnsbarns here; previously a group three winner here, he couldn't live with more illustrious company in Dubai. It's a high quality field, with the selection being Tartan Bearer.
Buccellati (9-0) 6th of 13, 5l behind Doctor Dino (9-0) at Sha Tin(HK) 1m 4f Grp 1 gd in Dec.
Charlie Farnsbarns (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Never near to challenge, 12th of 16, 18l behind Gladiatorus (9-0) at Nad Al Sheba(UAE) 1m fll stks Grp 1 (1) in Mar.
Bushman 9-2 (9-0) Held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 9, 9l behind Lady Deauville (8-7) at Ayr 1m 2f Listed stks (1) hvy in Sep.
Halicarnassus (IRE) 11-10fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Ripon 1m 2f stks (3) gf beating Slam (9-0) by nk, 6 ran.
Indian Days 16-1 (8-8) Raced centre, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace and no impression from over 1f out, 10th of 28, 10l behind Tazeez (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcap (2) gf in Oct.
Pipedreamer 5-1 (9-3) Raced wide mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 22l behind New Approach (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Steele Tango (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Tazeez (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Tartan Bearer (IRE) Evensfav (9-0) Mid-division, progress into 3rd 2 1/2f out, ridden to dispute lead when carried sharply left 1f out, soon headed and not recover, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Frozen Fire (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f Grp 1 3yo gs in Jun.
