| Course: ASCOT | Race date:27/05/06 | Race time:1:20 | Runners:9 |
| Race distance:1m4f | Going:Good To Soft | Winners time:2m 35.65s |
| Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Stall | Weight | Age | RPR | OR | Odds | B High | B Ave | B Low | In run | Finished | Dist Behind |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akarem | Pat Cosgrave | K R Burke | 9 | 9-1 | 5 | 115 | 102 | 16/1 | 32 | 19.89 | 8 | 1.01 | 1 | |
| Frank Sonata | Ryan Moore | M G Quinlan | 2 | 9-1 | 5 | 108 | 106 | 11/2 | 7.6 | 6.46 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 2 | 4 |
| Profit´s Reality | Graham Gibbons | P A Blockley | 6 | 8-12 | 4 | 105 | 100 | 18/1 | NA | NA | NA | NA | 3 | hd |
| Admiral´s Cruise | L Dettori | B J Meehan | 4 | 8-12 | 4 | 102 | 107 | 5/4F | NA | NA | NA | NA | 4 | 2 |
| Self Defense | Martin Dwyer | Miss E C Lavelle | 3 | 8-12 | 9 | 98 | 110 | 6/1 | 9.6 | 7.31 | 4.5 | 6.6 | 5 | 2½ |
| Orcadian | Ted Durcan | J M P Eustace | 1 | 9-1 | 5 | 97 | 105 | 15/2 | 11.5 | 9.21 | 8.4 | 4 | 6 | 2½ |
| Acropolis | Royston Ffrench | J Howard Johnson | 5 | 8-12 | 5 | 93 | 0 | 20/1 | 34 | 24.8 | 9.4 | 21 | 7 | ¾ |
| Birkspiel | T Quinn | S Dow | 8 | 9-4 | 5 | 76 | 108 | 12/1 | 22 | 17.06 | 5.9 | 12 | 8 | 14 |
| Maktub | Dane O´Neill | Ernst Oertel | 7 | 8-12 | 7 | 0 | 105 | 50/1 | 100 | 86.96 | 48 | 85 | PU |
This looked a strong Listed contest on paper, but with some of the leading candidates having something to prove and with many of them off their game again here, the form level is debatable.
Course walkers reported the ground having softer patches on the round course before the firmer finishing straight.
They went a strong pace thanks to Orcadian, who looked to find this third race in two weeks just too much.
AKAREM and Profit's Reality filled the same first and third placings as in theirrecent Hamilton Listed race and the latter was unlucky not to at least finish second.
Akarem was always travelling well against the inside rail and picked up takingly when asked inside the final two furlongs to settle the contest by the furlong pole.
Connections reported he had needed his first race of the year being a big horse and he looks a progressive sort, having kicked off with a solid effort when second in the November Handicap on his first British start. He enjoys some cut in the ground and looks the sort to progress again into Group 3 company, although with his ground requirement he could find himself travelling around Europe. Connections are looking to a Royal Ascot date, but he will need to find further improvement for the Hardwicke. However, the Cumberland Lodge at the September meeting might be right up his street.
Frank Sonata was last of the pack into the straight and stayed on stoutly, befitting his profile of being a thorough stayer suited by 14f. Despite a heavy shower before the race, the ground was still not totally in his favour. Connections look to be flying a bit high in aiming towards the Irish St Leger after a summer break, but he fully deserves a Group 3 win, possibly on another trip abroad.
Admiral's Cruise looked all set for one swinging off the home bend but he found disappointingly little in the final two furlong after hitting the front looking the likely winner. If he had not won so well over this trip at Newmarket last time, it would be easy to say he had failed to stay - it certainly looked that way as he tired in the final furlong.
Self Defense looked to have plenty in his favour, but age is finally catching up with him. He was still in there battling off the home turn but was well beaten before the final furlong, which is disappointing as he has shown a distinct liking for the track in the past, although the faster ground in the straight would not have suited.
Birkspiel was most disappointing, failing to run his race having come into this in top form, while Maktub looked totally out of love with the game, dropping right away by halfway.(BJ)
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