headway tracking leader 8f out, led 2f out, edged left over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, joined post
tracked leader until 8f out, tracked leaders, 2nd again over 1f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, joined leader on line
tracked leaders, 3rd and one pace final 2f
led until 2f out, ridden and lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong
It could pay to stick with TROLIUS in this given he’s won both starts in novice company and defied a penalty to score at Newcastle last time beating subsequent winner Ideological in the process. The latter re-opposes on worse terms after scoring at Kempton and Simon Crisford’s charge is taken to come out best once again. Felix The Poet won over track and trip before losing all chance when stumbling in a Group 3 contest at Newmarket. He could go well with normal luck in-running but Kilbarchan’s earlier wins came over 7f and Archies Lad was trounced by the selection last time.
Trolius (IRE) 3-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, driven to lead over 1f out, kept on well under pressure, won at Newcastle 1m stks (6) pol in Oct beating Ideological (9-4) by nk, 10 ran.
Felix The Poet 20-1 (9-1) Towards rear, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 8, dist behind Persian King (9-1) at Newmarket 1m Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Oct.
Ideological (IRE) 8-15fav (9-2) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Kempton 1m stks (6) pol in Oct beating Robert L'echelle (9-0) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Kilbarchan (GER) 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 9 1/4l behind Iconic Choice (9-5) at Ayr 1m (2) hvy in Sep.
Archies Lad 9-1 (9-2) Keen, tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 10, 12 1/2l behind Trolius (9-9) at Newcastle 1m stks (6) pol in Oct.