tracked leaders in 4th, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold early, tracked leaders in 3rd, led inside final 2f, stayed on strongly final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, went 2nd briefly over 1f out, no impression and one pace final furlong
took keen hold, held up in 5th, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, no chance when hung right from over 1f out
held up in 7th, pushed along 5f out, struggling straight
held up in 6th, headway over 2f out, still every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased winner entering final furlong but no impression
led to over 2f out, weakened quickly, gradually pulled up final furlong, tailed off
tracked leader, driven to lead over 2f out, headed inside final 2f , lost 2nd entering final furlong, soon no extra
Nonrunner
Silver Suitor makes plenty of appeal here and is preferred to Gala Evening and Gee Dee Nen. The selection makes a relatively quick return to action after his first run of the campaign. He looked certain to come on for that outing at Newmarket where he was badly hampered and also looked sure to improve for a step up in trip. Connections have already entered him in the Ascot Gold Cup and he will be expected to win this before stepping up in class. Gala Evening won impressively on the all-weather last time and isn't short of ability but he has yet to show that level of form on grass. There's no reason as to why he shouldn't reproduce his form but is probably best watched until doing so. Gee Dee Nen signed off last season with a defeat of Double Banded and he should still be competitive despite a 5lb rise in the weights as he proved fairly consistent last term. However, he does have work to do to confirm last season's form with Gabier at the weights and support for that one would be of interest whilst Hue has been in good form but Silver Suitor is the one to beat.
Gee Dee Nen 6-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, headway to lead over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, regained lead close home, won at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Nov beating Double Banded (8-6) by a nk, 6 ran.
Silver Suitor (IRE) 5-1 (8-8) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon headed, rallying when hampered entering final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Ajaan (8-10) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Buster Hyvonen (IRE) 2-1fav (9-1) Held up going easily, headway to lead 1f out, caight on post, 2nd of 6, shd behind Pocket Too (8-3) at Great Leighs 2m hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Apr.
Calculating (IRE) 9-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, every chance, no extra final 2f, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Pocket Too (8-3) at Great Leighs 2m hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Apr.
Gabier 12-1 (8-11) Behind, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Samurai Way (10-0) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Sept.
Ned Ludd (IRE) 10-1 (9-9) Mid-division, took closer order 5f out, ridden 3f out, every chance 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Flame Creek (7-13) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Apr.
Hue 9-2 (9-6) Towards rear, ridden along over 4f out, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest at finish, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Grizebeck (9-5) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Apr.
Tribe 6-1 (9-4) Went right start, led, ridden and wide into straight 2f out, soon headed, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 8l behind Chocolate Caramel (9-11) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Plane Painter (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 9l behind Flame Creek (7-13) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Apr.
Gala Evening 2-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, led just inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr beating The Carlton Cannes (9-4) by 1l, 5 ran.
