broke well and saddle slipped soon after start, close up until halfway, soon weakened
towards rear, never dangerous
always behind
mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, driven along halfway, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
dwelt and held up, headway over 2f out, led well over 1f out, kept on final furlong
towards rear, soon pushed along, some late headway never near to challenge
Millennium Force is taken to beat last year's winner Welsh Emperor, with Continent and The Crooked Ring also in with a shout. Millennium Force has been kept busy on the sand in Dubai, and returned to these shores to finish third in a conditions race at Warwick recently. He has consistently kept good company in the past, and the drop back to six furlongs will not be a problem with the ground riding on the soft side. He can make the most of the weight that he receives from Welsh Emperor who made all in this 12 months ago, and since then has also taken on decent company. The drawback is that he has not been seen since last October when tackling Group company in France, so maybe best watched here. Continent never got going at Nottingham last time but is a class act on his day, while stablemate Merlin's Dancer kept on well to hold off Tom Tun at Doncaster and is closely matched with the latter. The Crooked Ring gets the age allowance but is highly tried today, while Bond City is best watched on his return to action. Millennium Force gets the vote.
Welsh Emperor (IRE) In touch until weakened 2f out 8th of 11, 11l behind Miss Emma at Maisons-Laffitte 6f Grp 3 sft in Oct.
Continent 7-2 Started slowly, behind, effort halfway, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 10l behind High Reach at Nottingham 5f stk sft.
Merlin's Dancer 16-1 Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Doncaster 6f hcp gd in Mar beating Tom Tun by 2l, 15 ran.
Millennium Force 7-4fav Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out to chase leaders, no extra, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Azarole at Warwick 7f stk gs in Mar.
Steel Blue 80-1 Behind, some late headway but never near to challenge, 12th of 20, 9l behind Fonthill Road at Beverley 5f hcp gd.
Tom Tun 7-2 Soon prominent, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind High Reach at Nottingham 5f stk sft.
The Crooked Ring 15-2 Outpaced, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind High Reach at Nottingham 5f stk sft.
Bond City (IRE) 11-4 Tracked leader, ridden to lead 1f out, ridden out, won at Lingfield 5f 2yo stk (C2) pol in Oct beating Cyclical by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
