switched left soon after start, held up in rear, headway over 2f, edged left over 1f, weakened final furlong
in touch, led over 3f, clear over 1f, pushed out
prominent, ridden along over 2f, hung left when weakening over 1f
led, headed over 3f, not much room when weakening over 1f
held up behind leaders, ridden along halfway, soon beaten
in touch, not much room when hampered over 3f and lost ground, switched right over 2f, stayed on final furlong
prominent, ridden along when outpaced over 2f, stayed on towards finish
CONFUCIUS CAPTAIN sets the standard and gets the vote over Alimarr and Dante Deo. Officially rated 75, the selection went close at the track in November when second to Holberg. Proven that this surface suits, he gets the narrow selection. Becky Blue and Dante Deo have only had one start apiece and so each may improve for that first start, First Blade has shown very little in two starts and will be qualified for handicaps after this, whilst Shaws Diamond takes a huge drop in class having contested a Group Three when last seen. Alimarr is another filly who has shown ability and the stable are going well, however it is Confucius Captain who gets the vote.
Bold Bomber 12-1 (9-3) In touch far side group, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 7, 10l behind Rare Art (9-3) at Nottingham 5f 2yo mdn (5) hvy in Nov.
Confucius Captain (IRE) 10-3 (8-13) Led, ridden over 2f, driven when headed entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Battle Planner (8-13) at Southwell 1m 2yo mdn auc (6) std.
First Blade 100-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 12, 15l behind Hometown (8-12) at Southwell 1m 2yo mdn auc (6) fbs in Nov.
Alimarr (IRE) 11-8fav (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 14, 6l behind Shadow Bay (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m 2yo sll (6) pol.
Becky Blue (IRE) 11-2 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon chasing leaders, hung left and one pace from over 1f out, 6th of 10, 10l behind Toledo Gold (9-3) at Redcar 6f 2yo mdn auc (6) gf in Jul.
Dante Deo (USA) 13-2 (8-12) Dwelt, held up, ridden and broke wide over 2f, one pace final furlong, 4th of 6, 8l behind Holberg (9-3) at Southwell 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) fbs in Nov.
Shaws Diamond (USA) 40-1 (9-0) Slowly away and always behind, last of 10, 9l behind Fantasia (9-0) at Goodwood 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug.