slowly into stride, behind, effort over 3f out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden and weakened 4f out
led for a furlong, chased leaders, led again over 3f out, clear 2f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, kept on lost 2nd close home
led after a furlong, headed over 3f out, soon weakened
towards rear, pushed along and outpaced 4f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest at finish
chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 4f out
held up in rear, weakened over 4f out
mid-division, headway over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner
The shortlist contains My Putra, Arbella and Raslan, with the vote going to My Putra. My Putra's maiden second to Love Always at Brighton last time rates him as a major player here, as does Arbella's Ripon second last time when stepped up to this trip for the first time. Raslan was an expensive failure on heavy at Pontefract last time but would hold a good chance based on his run before that at Lingfield, and Fyvie showed plenty of promise on her debut over a mile at Lingfield and could well improve again at today's trip. Finally, the nicely-bred Dubai Sunday won his bumper but his debut on the Flat proper was inauspicious, and the chance of Richard Hannon's Sheikh Shakey might best be gauged by the betting. All of which returns us to the selection, which is My Putra.
Dubai Sunday (JPN) 4-1 (9-12) Started slowly, headway over 6f out, effort well over 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Meadow Mischief (8-5) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stk (5) fbs.
Sheikh Shakey Muhtarram gelding out of a moderate racemare.
My Putra (USA) 4-6fav (8-10) Led, headed over 2f out, chased winner and no impression, went on, left over 1f out, beaten when hung right inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Love Always (8-6) at Brighton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gf in May.
Arbella 13-8 (8-10) Tracked leader, led 3f out, narrowly headed just inside final 2f, stayed on under pressure, held near finish, 2nd of 6, hd behind Rill (8-10) at Bath 1m 4f mdn fll (5) frm in Sept.
Sweet Medicine 9-2 (9-7) Led after 1f, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, one pace, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Tommy Toogood (8-9) at Lingfield 1m mdn stk (5) pol in Mar.
Tara King 33-1 (8-9) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, one pace final 2f, 3rd of 11, 9l behind A Thousand Smiles (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
Raslan 10-11fav (9-3) Led, ridden over 4f out, headed over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 20l behind Hero Worship (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (5) hvy.
Fyvie 6-1 (8-9) Prominent, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2l behind I'm In Love (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
