close up, ridden 2f out, driven, hung left and stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden halfway, kept on under pressure and wide outside final furlong, never nearer
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, led inside final furlong, stayed on
towards rear, ridden halfway, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on, nearest finish
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
raced wide, towards rear, driven and hung left over 1f out, never nearer
always in rear
mid-division, ridden halfway, never dangerous
slowly into stride, keen in rear, never a factor
Nonrunner
Desert Poppy rates highly but may have been undone by the draw and Flaxen Lake looks better berthed to launch a challenge but it can pay to give another chance to BLUE NEPTUNE. He sunk without trace over course and distance at the end of last month in a race where a number of this field finished in front of him. He was carrying a 6lb penalty on that occasion and has to race from a 2lb higher mark which isn't compelling but it looks significant that connections have engaged Ryan Moore. Desert Poppy is able to race from the same mark as when going close behind Living It Large over course and distance but she was drawn in one then and has to contend with an outside berth. Flaxen Lake could also be ahead of the game having got to within a length of Living It Large last time and he's another with live claims as, he too, gets to race from the same mark. Valmina's connections ensure that he merits respect but this shorter trip didn't appear to be an obvious step following his latest run and ready preference is for Blue Neptune.
Lucky Mellor 9-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, challenging and very chance from over 1f out, still pressing leaders inside final furlong until no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Coolree Star (9-3) at Windsor 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Lewyn 9-2 (9-2) Held up, effort over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, last of 7, 4 1/2l behind Living It Large (9-13) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Desert Poppy (IRE) 5-2fav (9-1) Led 1f, remained close up, chased winner over 1f out, driven and challenge winner throughout final furlong, always held, 2nd of 7, hd behind Living It Large (9-13) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Flaxen Lake 8-1 (9-3) Bumped start, chased leaders, chased winner 2f out, ridden and one pace inside last, lost 2nd final stride, 3rd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Living It Large (9-8) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Sovereign Secure (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed early straight, soon no extra, weakened final furlong, 5th of 14, 11l behind Sole Power (9-3) at Dundalk 5f 2yo mdn stks pol.
Valmina 6-1 (9-3) Tracked winner throughout, challenged over 1f out, one pace, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Basle (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Oct.
On The Piste (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Mid-division, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous, 5th of 10, 9l behind Silver Linnet (9-2) at Catterick 5f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Oct.
Blue Neptune 11-2 (8-10) Went right start, towards rear, effort on outside 2f out, ridden when badly hampered approaching final furlong, not recover, last of 12, 17l behind Living It Large (9-8) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Wanchai Whisper 3-1 (7-9) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Little Perisher (8-11) at Kempton 6f 2yo clm stks (6) pol in Oct.
True Red (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Chased winner throughout, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Blue Neptune (9-2) at Kempton 5f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Ya Boy Sir (IRE) 16-1 (8-2) Hung left throughout, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 16, 6l behind Living It Large (9-7) at Ayr 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Satin Princess (IRE) 17-2 (8-10) Behind, no impression from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 11l behind Night Trade (9-4) at Catterick 5f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Oct.
Bitter Honey 22-1 (8-5) Close up on inside, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out, 9th of 10, 10l behind So Surreal (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Oct.