tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never able to to challenge
held up in touch, chased leaders over 3f out, soon under pressure, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, stayed on well, never troubled leaders
led, ridden over 4f out, headed over 2 out, rallied approaching final furlong, no extra closing stages
tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon strongly challenged, stayed on well, ridden out
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, soon ridden to challenge, every chance over 1f out, faded final furlong
Arabian Star had a successful first season, winning at Newbury and only going down by a nose to Buthelezi in a well-contested nursery at Doncaster in September. The top weight is only 2lb higher here and should go close. Ivan Vasilevich has yet to prove himself as good on turf as the all-weather, a remark that could also be attached to Sammy Alexander, but Dazzling Valentine ran well at Haydock 10 days ago and Black Pond is unexposed. CADORE was only beaten half-a-length in a maiden here last September and found 7f too sharp when favourite at Warwick next time. Being by Hurricane Run, he should appreciate this distance and can get off the mark today.
Arabian Star (IRE) 22-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, led last 100 yards, caught post, 2nd of 12, ns behind Buthelezi (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 2yo hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Dazzling Valentine 13-2 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden and struggling 3f out, switched right to outside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 3/4l behind Franciscan (9-0) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Cadore (IRE) 11-8fav (9-0) With leader, led over 5f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no chance with winner final furlong, 2nd of 14, 4l behind Labarinto (8-11) at Warwick 7f mdn stks (5) sft in Sep.
Black Pond (USA) 7-2 (8-8) Tracked leader, ridden 3f out, one pace final fulong, 4th of 10, 7l behind Sandusky (8-8) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn auc stks (6) pol.
Ivan Vasilevich (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Led until over 6f out, led again over 3f out, hard ridden and strongly challenged entering final furlong, headed and no extra last strides, 2nd of 5, ns behind Memorabilia (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Sammy Alexander 3-1 (9-4) In rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, just held close home, 2nd of 5, shd behind Apache Glory (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.