soon led, ridden well over 1f out, headed and one pace
in rear, stayed on final 2f, never troubled leaders
in touch, awkward after leaving stalls, driven over 2f out, jinked right over 1f out and one pace
slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden to chase leading trio 2f out, faded near finish
tracked leader and keen, every chance 1f out, no extra towards finish
broke well, tracked leaders, effort and switched left over 1f out, led soon after, ridden out
held up, driven 3f out, no impression
Nonrunner
Slugger O'Toole shaped with real promise at Newmarket last week, doing his best work in the later stages of what looked a decent maiden. A re-production of that would see him go very close to landing this. The main danger appears to be Skadrak who holds a 2000 Guineas entry in both English and Irish equivalents. Bred for this surface, he had one outing last season in an Ascot maiden over 6f, the winner of which went on to finish mid-division in the Champagne Stakes. The extra furlong should not prove a problem as a 3 year old and he looks a colt of some promise. Outside that duo, Paul Cole saddles a once raced colt, James Dean but been apprentice ridden today may suggest that today may not be the day for him to break his maiden duck. August Gale was a bitter disappointment when he was beaten a long way from home. Slugger O'Toole is selected to supplement that very promising effort at Newmarket.
August Gale (USA) 9-4 (9-3) Led, headed halfway, soon beaten, last of 11, 33l behind Royalist (9-3) at Doncaster 7f 3yo mdn (4) gs.
Cheney Manor Piccolo gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
James Dean (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon recovered to press leader, led well over 1f out, headed near finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Pearl Dealer (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Sept.
Novellen Lad (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 9, 4l behind Premier Danseur (9-3) at Doncaster 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Nov.
Skadrak (USA) 2-1fav (9-0) Held up behind leaders, headway to lead 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong, collared last stride, 2nd of 13, shd behind Atlantic Sport (9-0) at Ascot 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Jul.
Slugger O'Toole 25-1 (9-0) Keen, held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, kept on, never dangerous, 4th of 9, 4l behind Virtual (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 3yo mdn (4) gd.
Little Molly (IRE) Namid filly out of winning miler Molly-O.
Fantasy Fighter (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 8l behind Concealment (8-12) at W'hampton 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Oct.
Opera Prince 28-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, ridden to chase winner and hung left 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Always A Rock (9-0) at W'hampton 7f mdn stk (5) pol.
