behind, outpaced from over 2f out
held up, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, ran on well inside final furling, nearest finish
prominent towards far side, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, no impression final furlong
slowly into stride and behind, headway well over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure final furling
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well under pressure inside final furlong to go 2nd towards finish
raced towards far side, led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden and headway over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, kept on
chased leader, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, soon headed, no extra towards finish
towards rear, outpaced 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure final furlong, never nearer
behind, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Somnus proved to be one of the top sprinters last season and can land this valuable event from Steenberg and La Cucaracha. Tim Easterby's five-year-old performed brilliantly on both sides of the channel. His two victories in France were over the seven furlong trip, but he put up his best display on these shores when finishing a close second in the Haydock Sprint Cup. If fit for his seasonal debut he will be very hard to beat. Steenberg finished runner up in this contest twelve months ago and will be all the better for a recent blow out at the Curragh. Meanwhile La Cucaracha showed plenty of promise last season, and fulfilled that potential last time at Doncaster when coming from well off the pace to beat today's rival The Kiddykid. There may be plenty more to come and she looks booked for a place. Royal Ascot winner Fayr Jag could prove best of the rest, but on this occasion we will side with his stable companion Somnus.
Fayr Jag (IRE) last of 16, 21l behind Calstone Light O at Nakayama 6f Grp 1 frm in Oct.
Somnus Held up, headway 2f out, effort 1f out, ran on to lead close home, won at Longchamp 7f Grp 1 sft in Oct beating Denebola by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Orientor 10-3fav Behind, headway 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, ran on under pressure final furlong, finished well, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind If Paradise at Newbury 5f hcp gs in Apr.
Patavellian (IRE) 9-2 Keen, prominent, led 2f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 3l behind Quito at Newmarket 6f lst stk gf in Apr.
Royal Millennium (IRE) 3-1 Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 2l behind La Cucaracha at Doncaster 6f lst stk gd in Apr.
Steenberg (IRE) 7-2 Tracked leaders in 5th, 4th over 1f out, 2nd and kept on well final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Mustameet at Curragh 7f Grp 3 sft in Apr.
Striking Ambition 4-7fav Made all, ridden clear under 1f out, kept on, won at Curragh 5f lst stk gs in Apr beating Senor Benny by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
The Kiddykid (IRE) 6-1 Led, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Quito at Newmarket 6f lst stk gf in Apr.
Welsh Emperor (IRE) 7-2 Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Haydock 7f lst stk gs beating Quito by 1l, 5 ran.
Goldeva 10-1 Slowly into stride, behind until kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 12, 7l behind Quito at Doncaster 6f lst stk (A1) gs in Nov.
La Cucaracha 16-1 Held up in mid-division, smooth progress on outside over 1f out, driven to lead approaching final furlong, kept on, won at Doncaster 6f lst stk gd in Apr beating The Kiddykid by 1/2l, 11 ran.
