Verdict

Though twice a winner at this level, Nayef Road wasn’t quite at his best last year and has shown even less in three runs this term. Calling The Wind is a thorough stayer so a step back up in trip will suit but he appears to have a bit find in this grade. Musselburgh winner Enemy is another who needs to up his game while Quickthorn was only running up to form when a well-beaten second behind Trueshan at Nottingham. Tashkhan had finished closer to Alan King’s top-class stayer in the Long Distance Cup here in October but today’s going won’t aid his cause. Placed in the Queen’s Vase, the Irish Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris last year, WORDSWORTH enjoyed a confidence-boosting win at Gowran earlier this month and this first try over 2m is overdue. Princess Zoe has been a fantastic servant to connections but hasn’t won since landing the Group 1 Prix du Cadran in 2020.

Formwatch

Calling The Wind (IRE)7-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders on inner, going well when ridden 3f out, not quicken, edged left when keeping on for modest third, 3rd of 7, 4 1/4l behind Raymond Tusk (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 4f stks (2) gd in Mar.

Princess Zoe (GER)9-1 (9-8) 10th of 14, 30 1/2l behind Stay Foolish (9-6) at Riyadh 1m 7f Grp 3 hcp gd in Feb.

Quickthorn10-3 (9-1) Close up in 4th, pushed along and headway 2f out, ridden to chase winner approaching final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Trueshan (9-8) at Nottingham 1m 6f lst stks (1) gs in Apr.

Enemy11-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, smooth headway over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ran on, comfortable, won at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp (2) gs in Apr beating Dark Jedi (8-13) by 3 3/4l, 14 ran.

Wordsworth (IRE)4-11fav (9-5) Led, soon pressed, headed before halfway, pushed along in 2nd over 3f out, ridden to lead narrowly final 150 yards, kept on best under pressure, won at Gowran Park 1m 6f gd in Apr beating Sunchart (9-5) by hd, 7 ran.

Tashkhan (IRE)50-1 (8-13) Tracked leader 4f, handy 3rd, led briefly over 2f out until 2f out, chased winner, ridden and no impression when lost 2nd inside final furlong, went 2nd again final 110 yards, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Trueshan (9-7) at Ascot 2m Grp 2 (1) gs in Oct.

Nayef Road (IRE)7-4 (9-8) Led early, chased winner, ridden and lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 10 3/4l behind Earlofthecotswolds (9-5) at Kempton 2m stks (2) pol in Mar.