chased leaders, challenged from 2f out, driven to lead 1f out, kept on well under pressure
took keen hold, prominent, not handle bends, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, behind, headway some 2f out, hard ridden and ran on to chase winner well inside final furlong, kept on well
towards rear, ridden along 3f out, soon struggling
in touch, pushed along 3f out, one pace and no impression when carried left final furlong
led to 7f out, stayed prominent, driven to challenge over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, well behind when ridden and struggling 4f out, ran on inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, hung right, no impression from over 1f out
ran out, in mid-division when went left and ran out over 5f out
in touch, pushed along 3f out, soon lost place
took keen hold, soon prominent, led 7f out, strongly pressed and edged left from 2f out, headed 1f out, one pace and no impression when lost 2nd well inside final furlong
slowly away, ran very green, always in rear
Nonrunner
A hard maiden to work out and just narrow preference is for Ibn Qutaiba ahead of Paul Cole's newcomers, with Woodcutter and Hunting Country others for close inspection. The selection makes his racecourse debut this afternoon and this expensive purchase, a son of top US sire Dynaformer, may be capable of winning today. The ground should suit on breeding and if the market speaks in his favour then he is the one. Woodcutter disappointed on debut last season but has been given time to get himself together and his trainer excels with his three-year-old's, as does Sir Michael Stoute who has Dixie's Dream who is expected to improve after just one start. The market should provide clues as to what is expected of Optimum Maximus and Red Rock Prince, with the former standing out marginally on pedigrees. Speed Ticket should step up on one all-weather start last season, whilst Catholic Hill looks one for handicaps after this run. Plenty who could improve for the longer trip here, however it is Ibn Qutaiba who receives the tentative vote.
Speed Ticket 9-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Prairie Tiger (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Oct.
Catholic Hill (USA) 33-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened over 2f out, 9th of 10, 25l behind Kensington Oval (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gs.
Crusoe's Return 18-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 10l behind Ancient Lights (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) gf in May.
Dixie Dean (USA) 7-1 (9-3) Towards rear, pushed along 4f out, soon struggling, 13th of 15, 14l behind Porthole (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gs.
Hendersyde (USA) 7-2 (9-3) Behind, ridden and headway well over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 10, 6l behind Never Ending Tale (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) pol in May.
Hunting Country 9-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, led approaching 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Military Power (8-12) at Redcar 1m 2f mdn stk (5) gf in May.
Ibn Qutaiba (USA) Dynaformer colt, half-brother to numerous winners from 5f-1m.
Optimus Maximus (IRE) Galileo colt, half-brother to numerous winners from 6f-1m including the top-class Bachir.
Red Rock Prince (IRE) Rock of Gibraltar colt out of 1m4f winner Red Bartsia.
Tank Commander 28-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 32l behind Gravitation (8-12) at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) gd.
Tuxedo Cadeaux Genereux gelding out of 1m4f winner Serengeti Bride.
Woodcutter (IRE) 7-2fav (9-3) Went right start, raced far side, in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 17th of 20, 9l behind Tanweer (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
Alkyoni (IRE) 50-1 (8-12) In rear, reminder 7f out, no impression, 8th of 10, 20l behind Kensington Oval (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gs.
High Lady Pivotal filly out of winning miler Ballerina Suprema.
Keyneema 80-1 (10-9) Mid-division, effort 4 out, soon beaten, 8th of 13, 23l behind Royal Rationale (10-9) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Apr (N.Hunt).
Ryan's Rock 100-1 (9-3) Always behind, 11th of 12, 16l behind Hold The Gold (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
