held up, pushed along and headway over 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on
led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
behind, chased along when not much room and ducked left and ran out through rail after one furlong
towards rear, pushed along halfway but never near to challenge
prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon headed, no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, not much room and switched right over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 1f out and weakened over final furlong
Venetian King looks the one to be on here, with Blue Lullaby rated as his biggest danger and Major Magpie possibly the best of the rest. The Howard Johnson-trained selection finished three lengths behind Munsef at Ripon last time and, in what looks like a modest heat overall, holds very strong claims based on that form. Blue Lullaby catches the eye because he is well-related and his stable is now starting to show some form. He also showed promise on his all-weather debut in a race that has worked out pretty well. Alpine Reel cost 210,000 euros but is now making his debut, although his stable is not in winning form, while Indian Flyer has shown little in two starts but she cost 120,000 guineas and her stable is in good form, and this is not a strong race. Major Magpie has at least shown some ability, so is respected, while the form of the likes of Borodinsky, Sonic Anthem, Guadaloup and Rice Mother can be rated as no better than average, a point that returns us to the selection, which is Venetian King.
Alpine Reel (IRE) Danehill Dancer gelding out of Alpine Flair, half brother to Road To Love.
Indian Flyer (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, ridden 2f out, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 14l behind Curtain Bluff (9-0) at Beverley 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf.
Major Magpie (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Dwelt, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, 3rd of 16, 1/2l behind Second Reef (9-0) at Redcar 7f 3yo mdn aut (5) gd in Apr.
Sonic Anthem (USA) 33-1 (9-0) Took keen hold to lead, headed well over 2f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Curtain Bluff (9-0) at Beverley 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf.
Venetian King (USA) 11-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Munsef (9-0) at Ripon 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) gf.
Blue Lullaby (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, towards rear, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 10th of 14, 6l behind Resplendent Nova (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (D3) pol in Mar.
Guadaloup 7-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, effort 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Sir Loin (9-9) at Newcastle 5f mdn aut stk (6) gd.
Rice Mother (IRE) 4-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakening when not much room over 1f out, 7th of 11, 7l behind Linnet (8-8) at Warwick 1m fll mdn (5) gd.
