held up mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, no impression over 1f out but kept on final furlong
held up behind, ridden 3f out and in touch, no impression final 2f
started very slowly, held up in rear, headway over 4f out, effort 2f out, not quicken and one pace from over 1f out
took keen hold, held up, tracked leaders halfway, ridden over 3f out, weakened quickly 2f out
towards rear, outpaced 3f out, kept on final 2f but never nearer
tracked leaders, effort 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, kept on same pace
started slowly, in rear, ridden and outpaced 4f out, never dangerous final 3f
disputed lead, headed over 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out
held up in touch, ridden 3f out, stayed on steadily to lead well inside final furlong, ridden clear final 50 yards
behind, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, never dangerous
steady start, towards rear, headway from 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish
held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
disputed lead, led over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, gradually weakened
in touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, stayed on until headed well inside final furlong
This is an interesting race but a bit of a guessing game in terms of finding the winner, so watch the betting but, without that knowledge, we will side with The Last Drop ahead of Belanak, Dream Prize and Jack Absolute. By Sinndar and a half-brother to the classy Balakheri, Belanak has to be of interest from the Sir Michael Stoute yard. Sir Michael, though, also runs the 170,000 guineas purchase Dream Prize, who is also one to note with Kieren Fallon booked to ride. The 130,000 guineas purchase Jack Absolute is also interesting, while the Barry Hills-trained The Last Drop showed promise on his Newbury debut and is another to consider. Bin Rahy has shown a reasonable, if unexceptional, level of form to date, while Counting House showed some promise on his Newbury debut and Just Devine is interestingly bred. Much as On Air failed to build on his Doncaster debut on his second run, he could be considered if reverting to that initial promise. Finally, the well-bred Impostor showed little on his racecourse debut last season, Warne's Way showed a little promise on his Kempton all-weather debut and Summer's Eve should certainly improve this time around. For the winner, though, we will stick with The Last Drop.
Belanak (IRE) Sinndar colt, half-brother to 2 winners including smart middle-distance performer Balakheri.
Counting House (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Soon tracking leaders, weakened entering final furlong, 7th of 11, 5l behind Extreme Measures (9-0) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
Dream Prize (IRE) Peintre Celebre colt out of a 1m2f winner in Germany.
Girardii 40-1 (9-0) Never better than mid-division, 8th of 13, 15l behind Judge (9-0) at Salisbury 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept.
Hoh Bla Daa 20-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression when hampered over 1f out, eased afterwards, 11th of 13, 13l behind Shortest Day (9-7) at Windsor 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Impostor (IRE) 40-1 (8-10) Slowly away, behind, driven and struggling halfway, 7th of 10, 14l behind Night Crescendo (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn aut (5) pol in Oct.
Jack Absolute (IRE) Fantastic Light gelding, half-brother to winners over 1m2f & 1m4f.
Master Mark 150-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, 8th of 11, 16l behind Atlantic Waves (9-0) at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Aug.
The Last Drop (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 4l behind Beau Nash (9-0) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept.
Warne's Way (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 7l behind Akona Matata (10-0) at Kempton 1m mdn stk (4) pol in Mar.
Just Devine (IRE) Montjeu filly, half-sister to Flat and hurdles winner Crathorne.
On Air (USA) 11-4fav (8-11) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 14, 10l behind Montreux (8-11) at Haydock 1m 2yo mdn fll (5) gs in Sept.
Oporto (UAE) 16-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, lost place halfway, no danger after, 9th of 18, 12l behind Sindirana (8-11) at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) gd in Oct.
Summer's Eve 4-1fav (8-11) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 19, 8l behind Kaveri (8-11) at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) gd in Oct.
Bin Rahy (IRE) 13-2 (9-4) Unruly at start, slowly into stride, never troubled leaders, 6th of 14, 11l behind Prince Charlemagne (7-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jan.
