held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
held up, headway over 5f out, ridden 4f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked winner to over 6f out, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
always towards rear
in touch, chased winner over 6f out til 3f out, weakened over 1f out
made all, clear 7f out, ridden 4f out, driven and all out
close up, outpaced over 5f out, some headway over 1f out
towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase winner 3f out, stayed on final furlong
In a race which may not take too much winning, the two newcomers could feature prominently and Hanazakari is preferred to Menelaus, while Gift Order appears to be the best of those with racecourse experience. Sir Michael Stoute's colt was beaten favourite in a Newmarket handicap last time, but this looks easier and he will be the yardstick for this race. But James Toller's Hanazakari make plenty of appeal on breeding and any market support for Seb Sanders' mount could be significant. Hanazakari is a half brother by an Australian sire to the stable's smart Hanami, who won a Group 2 race at The Curragh last year. He holds an entry in the St Leger, and would not have to be too good to make a winning debut here. Menelaus hails from the David Loder stable and this Machiavellian colt, who is also well-related, has to be respected, but we'll side with Hanazakari.