Bonfire
Highly touted individual who justified strong market support to make a winning debut in a soft-ground Salisbury maiden which has worked out well. Looked a shade unfortunate not to win a testing ground Group One at Saint-Cloud when meeting all sorts of trouble in running behind Guineas second French Fifteen. Tall and athletic sort who was a late withdrawal from the Dee Stakes due to testing ground.
Dream Tune
Fetched 300,000 euros as a yearling having been sold for 82,000 guineas as a foal. Showed promise in a backend maiden before chasing home the well regarded and well related Noble Mission on his seasonal reappearance. Promises to be suited by the longer trip and is entitled to come on for his return while his range of big race entries indicate the regard in which he's held but this requires a big step forwards in terms of what he's achieved thus far.
Ektihaam
Big colt who looked a highly promising prospect in winning his first two starts but failed to fire in the Dewhurst, after which connections felt that he hadn't handled the course. He vindicated their judgement with a bloodless victory at Newbury (three rivals all appeared to run below par) over this trip in the manner of a performer who has much more to offer. The long straight should play to his strengths and entitled to play a leading role.
Ernest Hemingway
Second foal of a useful mare who is from a good family. Didn't make his debut until running on the polytrack at Dundalk in April where he trounced the opposition by 10 lengths. Placed horses both rated 75 and maidens after 15 cumulative starts but significant that this son of Galileo is the sole representative for a yard that has won three of the last six renewals of this race. Described by his trainer as a 'beautiful-moving horse' who wouldn't want the ground too soft.
Fencing
Second foal of a French Oaks winner who progressed with each juvenile start, finishing a two and a half length third behind Camelot in the Racing Post Trophy on the last of them. Reportedly got tired in the Guineas when weakening into sixth having missed his prep and should be straighter now. Highest rated of the quartet with official marks and could well improve for this step up to 10 furlongs; dangerous to dismiss.
Mandaean
Formerly trained by Andre Fabre in France for whom he won both starts, latterly easily accounting for seven rivals in the Group One 10 furlong Criterium de Saint-Cloud despite wandering off a true line. Those behind to have run since have failed to win casting doubts on the strength of the form but he's reportedly pleased in his prep work for his new connections and is expected to cement his Investec Derby credentials with a big run.
Ptolemaic
A Musselburgh maiden winner who has been shooting for the stars since opening his account at the third attempt in September, finishing second in a Listed race and fourth in the Craven. Just one placed and half a length behind Fencing at Newmarket subsequently and this trip should hold no fears but his rivals possess greater scope for improvement.
Summary
An interesting line-up for a contest that has become a leading Derby Trial and connections of Manduro colts Mandaean and Bonfire will be hoping that their charges can emerge as credible contenders to the champion elect Camelot.
The current ante-post favourite's connections are represented by Ernest Hemingway who is nigh on impossible to assess accurately and the market is likely to be revealing with regard to his chances.
The betting may have over-reacted to the claims of Bonfire following the run of French Fifteen in the Guineas and, for all his promise, he's short enough for what he's actually achieved given that the form of his run in France (aside from the winner who has potentially improved markedly since) hasn't worked out that well.
Consequently, Ektihaam and Fencing both make some appeal at the prices but the manner of Mandaean's victories in France were striking and he could take the beating if resuming in the same manner for his new team.
