led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out and weakened
towards rear, effort on outside over 2f out, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, keen and soon in touch, led briefly 1f out, rallied again to lead last strides
in touch, lost place halfway
in touch, headway over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed line
tracked leaders until over 3f out
Nonrunner
A trappy maiden here and as usual in these events the market will be very informative but the main protagonists look to be Ancient Cross, Kings Wonder and Piremarini and the narrow vote is given to Kings Wonder. The selection shaped with promise in three runs last season, hails from a yard in form and in a poor race he looks a value bet in an open affair. Ancient Cross rates the main danger on his latest second behind Marvellous Value but he is unproven on the surface and is taken on with this in mind. Piremarini has had plenty of chances in similar races without taking one and again looks vulnerable. Of the remainder, Military Power is another that shaped with promise last season but the John Hills yard has yet to hit form and for the winner we are happy to return to Kings Wonder to small stakes in a race where the market may well tell all.
Ancient Cross 66-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left and headed well inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Marvellous Value (8-13) at Catterick 6f mdn stk (5) gs.
Blow Hole (USA) Mr Greeley colt, half-brother to winning sprinters Mighty Fine Mike and Alpha Zeddy.
Hollander (IRE) Fasliyev colt out of 7f winner Pietra Dura.
King's Wonder 14-1 (9-3) Mid-division, chased leaders over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 15, 5l behind Almajd (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (3) gd in Oct.
Military Power 9-4 (9-3) Chased leaders, kept on final furlong, 5th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Giant Love (9-3) at York 7f 2yo mdn (3) gf in Sept.
St Johns Wood Singspiel gelding out of 7f-1m1f winner Mamounia.
Piermarini 9-4 (8-4) Led 1f, tracked leader after, ridden and lost 2nd well over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Boy On A Swing (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Mar.
Tantris (IRE) 22-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 2f out, not much room just inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 10, 6l behind Always A Rock (9-0) at W'hampton 7f mdn stk (5) pol.