raced stands side, always in rear, 13th of 18 in group
held up towards rear stands side, headway from 2f out, led over 1f out, driven and ran on final furlong until headed last strides
raced far side, chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 8th of 12 in group
held up in rear of stans side group, headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, 5th of 18 in group
held up in rear far side, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead that group last strides, no chance with stands side leaders
prominent stands side, ridden and weakened 2f out, 9th of 18 in group
led far side group to over 3f out, weakened quickly, last of 12 in group
mid-division stands side, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 18 in group
tracked stands side leader, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 18 in group
chased stanbds side leaders, weakened 3f out, 16th of 18 in group
chased far side leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12 in group
held up in rear, on outer of stands side group, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 18 in group
slowly into stride, held up in rear far side, ran on final furlong, 4th of 12 that side, no chance with stands side leaders
chased far side leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12 in group
in touch on outer near side, weakened 3f out, 17th of 18 in group
chased far side leaders, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 12 in group
chased stands side leaders, hard ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 18 in group
pulled hard, held up in rear far side, no impression final 2f, 6th of 12 in group
held up in rear of stands side group on rails, not clear run over 2f out, soon switched to outside, headway to chase leader entering final furlong, driven and quickened to lead near finish
chased far side leaders, led group over 3f out to over 1f out, weakened 9th of 12 in group
slowly into stride, held up in rear of stands side, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 7th of 18 in group
raced far side, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 12 in group, no chance with stans side leaders
held up in rear far side, headway 2f out, led group over 1f out until headed last stride, 2nd of 12 in group, no chance with stands side
race stands side, always behind, 14th of 18 in group
chased stands side leaders, driven 2f out, weakened quickly, 19th of 18 in group
chased far side leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 12 that side
chased stands side leaders, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 15th of 18 in group
raced nearside, held up in rear, headway 2f out, ran on to take 3rd inside final furlong
chased stands side leaders, weakened 2f out, 11th of 18 in group
led stands side group to over 3f out, weakened rapidly, eased final 2f, last of 18 in group
Babodana is a sporting selection in this most wide-open of renewals, with a whole host of others with claims including Another Bottle, Minority Report, Pride Of Nation, Forgery and Prince Of Thebes to name but a few. With a maximum field of 30 set to run here, space and time constraints stop us running the rule over all of them, but those mentioned should hopefully make their presence felt, and anyone clutching an ante-post voucher on Another Bottle can be optimistic of a big run. However, Roger Charlton's five-year-old represents no value now, and although he will have come on a lot for his promising fourth behind Forgery at Newbury in April, it would be no surprise if the latter maintained the form. Instead then we look to a big-priced each-way hope in the shape of Babodana who has been mixing it with good company of late. The Mark Tompkins inmate has not visited the winner's enclosure since landing the 2004 Lincoln, but this season has finished runner-up to Rob Roy in the Group 2 betfred.com Mile at Sandown and was only denied a head by Zero Tolerance in the Listed Hambleton Stakes at York last month. That was on soft ground, but the trainer is optimistic that he will act on today's going, and a shower or too would certainly help. Hopefully he can grab a place and maybe even the big win that his form entitles him to. Luca Cumani saddles two progressive performers in Pride Of Nation and Minority Report and both have the scope to progress, while Prince Of Thebes faded in the closing stages behind Partners In Jazz in the seven-furlong Victoria Cup here last month and is ready for a step back up in trip. It goes without saying that the market should be noted for the likes of Cesare, Red Spell and Hinterland who carries a penalty, but we shall nominate the classy Babodana to make the frame at least, despite slight reservations about the ground and the burden of topweight.
Babodana 6-1 (9-7) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 13, hd behind Zero Tolerance (9-1) at York 1m lst hcp (1) sft in May.
Stronghold 9-4 (9-8) Close up, ridden to the lead over 1f out, soon headed, led again narrowly inside final furlong, ran on, headed post, 2nd of 5, shd behind Satchem (9-5) at Goodwood 1m lst stk (1) gf.
Stagelight (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders outside; progress straight; ridden to lead 300m out; drew clear; pushed out, won at Nad Al Sheba 1m Grp 3 (A) std in Feb '05 beating Gypsy Johnny (8-9) by 3l, 16 ran.
Pentecost 18-1 (9-4) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden when weakening over 1f out, 9th of 13, 15l behind Zero Tolerance (9-1) at York 1m lst hcp (1) sft in May.
Mine (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Raced on outside, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, not reach leaders, 7th of 20, 3l behind Partners In Jazz (9-1) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gd in May.
Ace of Hearts 16-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, ridden, headway well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, edged left, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 17, 1/2l behind Chantaco (9-0) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May.
Blythe Knight (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 3l behind Zero Tolerance (9-1) at York 1m lst hcp (1) sft in May.
Tucker 7-2 (9-7) Held up behind, headway and effort 2f out, no extra over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Dansili Dancer (8-6) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Hinterland (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Keen hold early, tracked leader, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, driven out, won at Epsom 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) gd beating Skidrow (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Another Bottle (IRE) 15-2fav (9-2) Keen hold, held up mid-division of main group, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on well final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 25, 2l behind Forgery (8-6) at Newbury 1m hcap (2) gd in Apr.
Divine Gift 11-2fav (8-11) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Chester 1m 2f hcap (2) gf in May beating Nice Tune (8-4) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Dabbers Ridge (IRE) 15-8fav (8-7) Prominent, pushed along halfway, ridden and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Zero Tolerance (9-1) at York 1m lst hcp (1) sft in May.
Langford 33-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 17, 1 1/2l behind Star of Light (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcap (2) gd in May.
Pride of Nation (IRE) 11-8fav (9-1) Chased leaders, led on bit 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Haydock 1m hcp 0-90 (3) hvy in May beating Goodbye Mr Bond (8-11) by 2l, 8 ran.
Spanish Don 22-1 (9-1) Chased leaders over 6f, 15th of 17, 6l behind Star of Light (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcap (2) gd in May.
Bustan (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Made most over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, held near finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Grey Boy (8-5) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Pinpoint (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Held up in mid-division, not clear run briefly over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 20, 2l behind Partners In Jazz (9-1) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gd in May.
Impeller (IRE) 22-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, late headway final furlong, 9th of 17, 5l behind Chancellor (8-3) at Epsom 1m 2f hcap (2) gd.
Cesare 7-2fav (8-10) Held up behind leaders, effort 3f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 30, 17l behind Blythe Knight (8-10) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) sft in Mar.
Prince Of Thebes (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, ridden to chase winner 1f out, no impression final furlong and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 20, 1 1/2l behind Partners In Jazz (9-1) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gd in May.
Forgery (IRE) 12-1 (8-6) Held up rear of main group, good headway over 1f out, driven and strong run final furlong, led last 50 yards, won at Newbury 1m hcap (2) gd in Apr beating Colisay (9-6) by 1/2l, 25 ran.
Red Spell (IRE) 10-3 (9-1) Held up mid-division, chased leaders going well 2f out, ridden and not pace of winner from over 1f out, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Dansili Dancer (8-6) at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Capable Guest (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Held up, headway over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 13, 7l behind Minority Report (9-3) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) frm in May.
River Royale 11-2 (9-4) Behind, outpaced when ran wide 5f out, never dangerous, last of 9, 20l behind Grey Boy (8-5) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Minority Report 2-1fav (9-3) Held up behind leaders, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) frm in May beating Flipando (9-4) by 1l, 13 ran.
El Coto 7-1 (9-10) Held up, effort over 4f out, headway well over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind Goodbye Mr Bond (9-4) at York 1m 1f hcap (2) gf.
Dansili Dancer 10-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on strongly, ridden out, won at Goodwood 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf beating Red Spell (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Akona Matata (USA) 11-2jt-fav (8-13) Close up, 5th straight, driven to chase leading pair over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Hinterland (9-2) at Epsom 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
Unshakable (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Notnowcato (8-11) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct.
Shot To Fame (USA) 16-1 (8-13) Led, kicked on 3f out, 2 lengths ahead 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, kept on, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 16, 2l behind Hinterland (9-2) at Epsom 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (2) gd.
