dwelt, ran green throughout, in rear, reminders halfway, ridden 4f out, kept on and hung left from over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, outpaced over 1f out
in touch in rear, headway and switched right 4f out, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out
tracked leaders, led 3f out, clear 2f out, edged right and reminder inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened final 2f
tracked leader, weakening when hampered 4f out
On paper this looks to be a match between newcomer Loyalty and PROTARAS, and we will side with the latter, while Astromoon might emerge best of the rest. The last-named represents a yard going well, that of Mark Tompkins, and she already has invaluable track experience here. Fast ground should suit, as will this step up in trip, though her fitness has to be taken on trust. The same can be said of Loyalty. Sir Michael Stoute's string are flying in the spring, so it is likely that this gelded son of Medicean will be plenty straight enough. With Rahy on his dam's side, he should do well over this trip and act on the going, and he is likely to be bang there. Even so, we prefer Protaras. Henry Cecil is another getting a real tune out of his runners, and this Lemon Drop Kid colt went very close to winning on his reappearance at Windsor last time. His mark of 81 looks fair and with three races to his name and that level of form he will take all the beating today. Doyenne Dream should be suited by conditions and trip and looks best of the remainder, but Protaras is the one for us.
Loyalty Medicean gelding out of Ecoutila.
Astromoon 40-1 (8-12) Dwelt, tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 7l behind Commissionaire (9-3) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Doyenne Dream 100-1 (8-12) Dwelt in rear, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 14l behind Commissionaire (9-3) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Oct.
On Her Way 16-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, ran green, always behind, 19th of 20, 23l behind Field Day (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) gd in Oct.
Rumballina 20-1 (8-12) Held up, never a factor, 7th of 12, 21l behind Senate (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) sft in Mar.
Silver Astralis 200-1 (8-7) Dwelt, always behind, 12th of 14, 33l behind Admission (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m mdn stks (5) sft.
Protaras (USA) 5-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon challenging, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, caught near finish, 2nd of 14, hd behind Heddwyn (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd.
