close up, chased leader over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on
raced in last place of the pace, pushed along over 4f out, ridden 3f out, beaten 2f out, eased final furlong
led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, led 3f out, soon ridden, headed 1f out, kept on same pace and lost 2nd towards finish
held up, hung left and bit came through his mouth 4f out, soon raced awkwardly, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish (better for the experience)
Nonrunner
On paper this looks to be a high-class renewal of the Dante, and with only Circumvent not entered in the Blue Riband event next month, there should still be plenty of Derby pointers, with CHABAL nominated to eclipse the challenges of Workforce, Cape Blanco and Coordinated Cut. The Saeed Bin Suroor-trained pick impressed when drawing clear up the Sandown hill to beat Azmeel comfortably in Sandown's Group 3 Classic Trial last month, when the ground was described as good. That step up in trip had always looked likely to suit, and given that this will probably be a faster-run contest, the stamina from his Derby-winning sire should again come to the fore. Workforce has been the talking horse among this lot as far as Epsom is concerned. He looked potentially top drawer when demolishing a field of maidens at Goodwood last September, also on good going. Clearly, it is difficult to put that form in clear context in this field, but if Sir Michael Stoute says that he is up to it then we should not argue. The trainer has voiced concerns for him if the ground does get faster than good, while he also reports that the colt is far from spectacular on the gallops. Therefore, it comes down to pedigree, looks and reputation, and the latter is enough to make us wary in taking him on. Cape Blanco is the sole representative today for Aidan O'Brien, whose second string won the race last year. The Galileo colt is unbeaten after three starts over 7f last season, but his handler says that this 1m 2f will be ideal for him, and although he will be fine on good ground he would have an even better chance if the rains came. He is another to fear. Perhaps the opponent of most concern, however, is Coordinated Cut. Michael Bell's colt won a hugely competitive contest from a big field at Newmarket's Craven meeting, when he somehow negotiated traffic problems to get his nose in front. Although a country mile behind St Nicholas Abbey at Doncaster last year, that return run suggested that he has improved and he cannot be ruled out, though the 2010 Dante Stakes can go to Chabal.
Cape Blanco (IRE) 1-5fav (9-1) Made all, ridden straight, soon strongly pressed, stayed on best inside final furlong, won at Fairyhouse 7f 2yo Grp 2 sft in Aug beating Mister Tee (9-1) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Chabal (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) Took keen hold early, held up, headway on outside over 2f out, led well over 1f out, ridden and edged right final furlong, ran on well, pushed out, won at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr beating Azmeel (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Circumvent 11-2 (9-2) Prominent, quickened well over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 8 Simon De Montfort (9-2) at Longchamp(FR) 1m 2f Grp 3 gd in Apr.
Coordinated Cut (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Raced towards centre, close up, led 3f out, headed and hampered over 1f out, soon switched left, rallied and stayed on to lead again near finish, won at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo aut stk (2) gd in Apr beating Ameer (9-3) by hd, 16 ran.
Workforce 3-1fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, green and soon pushed along in rear, headway, switched to inside and quickened to challenge over 1f out, soon led, pushed clear final furlong, stayed on strongly, won at Goodwood 7f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sep beating Oasis Dancer (9-3) by 6l, 12 ran.
Fair Trade 50-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, headway to go prominent after 2f, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 19, 9l behind Makfi (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gf.
