tracked leading trio, good headway near side of group over 2f out, edged left and led 2f out, came clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly
wore hood to post, led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed 2f out, soon lost 2nd and weakened
steadied start, held up in last pair, headway between horses over 1f out, plugged on, never going pace to reach leaders
restless in stalls, raced keenly tracking leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed inside final 2f, well held when lost 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on same pace in 3rd
held up in rear, good headway near side of group inside final 2f, went 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
bit keen in close 3rd, ridden far side of group 2f out, weakened quickly
IMPERATIVE opened his account when upped to 1m5f here last time and further progress looks likely over this extra 2f. Stablemate Annandale placed over 1m3f at Carlisle while Jim Goldie runs three with the course and distance winners Aighear and Grand Canal preferred to the maiden Baez. Red Missile has been in poor form over hurdles and was beaten by Grand Canal here last summer.
Grand Canal (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Raced wide, tracked leader, joined leader 5f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 5, 10 1/2l behind World Without Love (9-2) at Carlisle 1m 6f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Red Missile (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Prominent, pushed along and lost position before 7th, soon in rear, pulled up after 4 out, at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (5) gs in May.
Annandale (IRE) 2-1fav (9-10) Raced wide, in touch in rear, headway 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 6, 1l behind Graces Quest (9-8) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp (6) gd in Jun.
Imperative 11-2 (9-6) Held up in mid-division, headway out wide chasing leaders over 3f out, led over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, always just doing enough, won at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (6) gd in May beating Well Planted (9-5) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Baez 11-2 (9-8) Dwelt, in touch in rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headway entering final furlong, stayed on, nearest finish, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Paramaribo (9-7) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (6) gd in May.
Aighear 15-2 (8-13) Switched right start, raced keenly in rear, ridden inside final 2f, soon unable to quicken, never involved, 6th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Forgetmenotblue (9-2) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (6) gd in May.