settled in rear, smooth headway from 3f out, went 2nd 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, staying on when hampered and snatched up over 1f out, not recover
keen, tracked leader until 7f out, remained close up, ridden and hung left over 2f out, soon weakened
always in rear
keen tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
held up, headway 5f out to track leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened and edged right over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
soon led, ridden and headed well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, quick move to lead well over 2f out, soon hung right, ridden over 1f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong
mid-division, pushed along 4f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden hung right over 1f, soon weakened
awkward start, went 2nd 7f out, ridden and hung right over 1f out, one pace final furlong
awkward start, mid-division, weakened over 3f out
KING'S SONG has been disappointing thus far but may be worth another chance in an open race where Aurorian and Parc Des Princes are amongst the leading players. It looks significant that Sir Michael Stoute has opted to keep his four year old gelding in training despite the fact that he has just one modest handicap to show for his six visits to the track. King's Song proved a disappointing favourite on his seasonal return at Kempton but his Newbury fourth at the end of the last campaign suggests that he has the ability to take a hand here. Parc Des Princes didn't appear to be the easiest of rides last term but he developed into a useful performer nonetheless and won two of his last three starts, including for this jockey. He may well have more to offer this season and could get involved if getting the breaks. The handicapper finally relented which enabled Aurorian to add to his maiden success on his final start and a 3lb rise should mean that he's competitive on this return to action as he did run well from higher marks at the start of last season. There are plenty more in with chances but those three comprise the short-list with King's Song nominated.
Aurorian (IRE) 5-2 (9-1) Led, headed over 8f out, tracked leader after, ridden over 1f out, driven to press leader inside final furlong, gained upper hand towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec beating Mannlichen (9-2) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Epsom Salts 12-1 (9-4) Dwelt, keen, held up in last place, close enough, lost touch over 4f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Soundbyte (9-0) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Sacrilege 33-1 (8-6) Held up in rear, not clear run from well over 1f out until inside final furlong, kept on to 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Everybody Knows (9-0) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Illuminative (USA) 9-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, behind, ran wide on bend over 6f out, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 11, 10l behind Everybody Knows (9-0) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Rockfella 8-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 17l behind Chookie Hamilton (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Turjuman (USA) 9-2 (8-11) In touch, led over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) std in Mar beating Oxford City (8-9) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Penchesco (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, chased leaders, challenged 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well, won at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating West Emirates (9-2) by 1 1/4l, 13 ran.
Gross Prophet 11-4fav (9-5) Tracked leading pair, pushed along 4f out, driven 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, tailed off, last of 7, 22l behind Miss Sophisticat (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Dove Cottage (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, hung left over 2f out, stayed well there until weakened over 1f out, 8th of 14, 11l behind Rockfella (8-7) at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Oct.
King's Song (IRE) 13-8fav (8-8) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to press leaders over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 8th of 9, 4l behind Sherman Mccoy (8-9) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Brooklyn Spirit 28-1 (9-1) Mid-division, lost place over 3f out, 8th of 9, 25l behind Caster Sugar (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Oct.
Parc Des Princes (USA) 9-4 (8-10) Held up in last pair, travelling well over 2f out, good headway on outer, shaken up over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, soon ridden clear, won at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jul beating Sumani (9-2) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Oxford City (IRE) 5-2 (9-3) Held up in touch, progress to 3rd 8f out, joined leaders 6f out, led well over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 5l behind Soundbyte (9-0) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Northumberland 16-1 (8-2) Dwelt, soon recovered to lead on inner, ridden and kept on well from 2f out, headed and no extra final 50 yards, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Sohcahtoa (9-5) at Goodwood 7f 2yo hcp (2) gf in Aug '08.
