led, ridden and headed over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, ridden over 1f out, kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong, not troubled winner
tracked leader, challenged over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on and always in command
slowly into stride, soon in touch, niggled along 4f out, soon outpaced, stayed on inside final furlong, no danger
slowly into stride, headway to chase leaders after 2f, weakened 3f out
niggled along in rear, headway on inside 3f out, weakened over 1f out
This is a decent conditions contest and Galeota should capable of beating Jack Sullivan and Candidato Roy. Richard Hannon's charge is relatively lightly raced, having missed all of last season. A Group two winner back in 2004, he showed that he retains plenty of ability when comfortably landing a similar race at Nottingham last time. He can land this race before moving back to Pattern company. The former South African trained Candidato Roy is interesting on his British debut. Now with the astute William Haggas, he should make his mark before too long, but is probably best watched today. A bigger threat to the selection could be Jack Sullivan who wasn't beaten far in the City Of York Stakes last week and will relish the drying ground. The others make little appeal and so we return to Galeota as the most likely winner.
Galeota (IRE) Evensfav (8-11) With leader, led 3f out, pressed 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Nottingham 5f stk (4) gf beating Biniou (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Candidato Roy (ARG) (9-0) 7th of 10, 10l behind King Jock (9-2) at Abu Dhabi 7f gf in Dec.
Jack Sullivan (USA) 15-2 (9-0) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, driven, one pace final furlong, 7th of 14, 5l behind Duff (9-0) at York 7f lst stk (1) gd.
Confucius Classic (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Mid-division, went 3rd over 1f out, no chance with first two, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Even Bolder (9-0) at Kempton 6f mdn stk (4) pol.
Safranine (IRE) 25-1 (8-4) Soon prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 6l behind Dorn Dancer (8-10) at Ayr 6f fll hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Knapton Hill 100-1 (8-2) In rear, weakened and eased over 1f out, last of 6, 9l behind Blue Ksar (9-5) at Pontefract 1m lst stk (1) gs in Jul.