close up, effort and every chance inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, ran on
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
towards rear, headway entering final furlong, soon switched right, ran on to lead near finish
in rear, ridden and ran on strongly final furlong, not reach leaders
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden and no impression over 1f out
held up, ridden 2f out, never a factor
held up, ridden 2f out, never a factor
keen led, headed 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
always in rear
held up, ridden 2f out, never near leaders
held up, soon pushed along, switched left and headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
always in rear
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on, headed near finish
This has been won by two 25/1 chances and a 20/1 chance in the past ten years which has also produced several other big-priced winners. Maarek gave 10lb and a half-length beating to Astaire last year but the latter now looks back to his best. He couldn't quite make the transition to Group 1 company but produced a cracking effort to land the Group 3 Abernant at Newmarket last month and will make a bold bid here. He finished just over a length behind Naadirr in the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster earlier, when Jack Dexter was a close fourth, so there's little between that trio here. Muthmir hasn't had much racing for his age and definitely improved at the end of the last campaign while French raider Gammarth has had a nice prep run and will enjoy the easier ground more than most. LIGHTNING MOON had three runs last term, all on soft ground, and won them all culminating in a Group 3 at Ascot in October when Caspar Netscher was 3l behind. Ed Walker's colt could easily be challenging for top sprint honours and is unlikely to want for race fitness so gets the nod. In the unlikely event of the ground turning heavy, Aetna, who won the opener here a year ago, would have a better chance than most.
Caspar Netscher 20-1 (9-0) 10th of 16, 6l behind Sole Power (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 5f Grp 1 gd in Mar.
Astaire (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Made all, ridden 2f out, driven inside final furlong, found extra when pressed close home, won at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr beating Watchable (9-6) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Gammarth (FR) (9-13) 3rd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Catcall (9-6) at Fontainebleau(FR) 5f Listed stks hvy in Mar.
Glass Office 16-1 (9-2) In rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 7th of 9, 6l behind Goldream (9-2) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Jack Dexter 16-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 4l behind Astaire (9-6) at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Justice Day (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Close up, ridden and headway entering final furlong, soon chased winner, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Goldream (9-2) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Lightning Moon (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and strong challenge from over 1f out, stayed on, led close home, won at Ascot 6f Grp 3 (1) sft in Oct beating Danzeno (9-5) by hd, 15 ran.
Line Of Reason (IRE) (9-0) 6th of 18, 1 3/4l behind Sir Maximilian (9-0) at Meydan(UAE) 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Mar.
Musical Comedy 12-1 (9-12) Tracked leaders, soon 3rd, challenged between horses and on terms 1f out, headed and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Great Minds (9-12) at Naas 5f Listed stks (1) in Apr.
Muthmir (IRE) 3-1fav (9-7) Stumbled start, took keen hold in mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well (track record), won at Doncaster 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep beating Bogart (9-0) by 2l, 20 ran.
Naadirr (IRE) 5-1 (9-8) Held up behind, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on strongly, won at Doncaster 6f Listed stks (1) gd in Mar beating Astaire (9-5) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Aetna 5-4fav (9-5) Chased leader on inner, ridden to challenge from 2f out, soon short of room and badly hampered, dropped to 6th and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 7l behind Great Minds (9-7) at Cork 6f Listed stks (1) sft in Apr.
Gathering Power (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Settled in 6th, ridden under 2f out, improved into 3rd 1f out and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Great Minds (9-7) at Cork 6f Listed stks (1) sft in Apr.
Lucky Kristale 10-1 (9-3) In rear, pushed along halfway, switched left to outer approaching final furlong, ran on, nearest finish, 5th of 11, 4l behind Astaire (9-6) at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Mattmu 6-1 (8-13) won at Maisons-Laffitte(FR) 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) hvy in Nov beating Queen Bee (8-10) by 1l, 10 ran.
