prominent, ridden and unable to quicken over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up in mid-division, not much room and switched left over 2f out, headway and edged right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
soon led, headed 3f out, stayed on, no impression on winner final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
held up towards rear, switched left and headway over 1f out, stayed on, never on terms
held up towards rear, ridden and struggling over 2f out
slowly into stride, mid-division on outside, took keen hold, headway over 5f out, close up 3f out, lost place 2f out, hung right and weakened from over 1f out
mid-division, took keen hold, shaken up over 2f out, no impression
soon pressing leader, led 3f out, edged right and ridden over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, stayed on well
slowly into stride, behind, never involved
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, no extra inside final furlong
A tough finale for punters to unravel though four favourites have won in the past six years. Mark Johnston was successful last year but Champagne Ransom is having her first start on Turf though she did run a bit better at Wolverhampton last time. The yard look to have a better chance with Ultima Ora, who showed little before an improved run when stepped up to around this trip at Bath. AVENUE DES CHAMPS has looked in need of a stiffer test than he's been getting on the all-weather and should get it here. He's only moderate but can't go much lower in the ratings and Danny Brock's claim can see him home. Seraffimo stepped up to 1m2f for the first time at Ayr and ran his best race to date though that was on very fast ground which he won't have this time. Alboretta is bred for middle-distances and has a superb pedigree but has shown little to date. However, he wouldn't be coming here to carry a big weight unless thought capable of much better so is one to watch.
Alboretta 50-1 (9-0) Raced wide in touch, pushed along 7f out, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 11l behind Atwix (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn fll (5) pol in Feb.
Kerrymerry (IRE) 4-1fav (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, edged left and kept on final furlong, 4th of 12, 7l behind Pyrocumulus (9-0) at Southwell 7f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Nov.
Duke Of Romance 28-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, lost place 3f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 16l behind Lady Lekki (8-6) at Wetherby 1m 3yo mdn aut (5) gd in Apr.
Ghostly Arc (IRE) 100-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 27l behind Pandora (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Mar.
Penny Boo (IRE) 100-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 12l behind Briardale (9-5) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr.
Champagne Ransom (FR) 33-1 (8-10) Close up, headway to track leaders 4f out, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Leoncavallo (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f app hcap (6) in Apr.
Seraffimo 33-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed final 100 yards, ran on, held close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Chilworth Bells (9-7) at Ayr 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Apr.
Blythe Star (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 13, 9l behind Rosie Crowe (9-1) at Redcar 1m 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
Boldbob (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, lost place inside final 2f, weakened 1f out, 12th of 13, 21l behind Rosie Crowe (9-1) at Redcar 1m 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Apr.
Avenue Des Champs 12-1 (8-4) Held up in rear, hedaway on outside and hung right 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd final strides, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Harley Rebel (8-11) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
Ultima Ora (IRE) 6-1 (8-7) Held up towards rear, headway on inside under pressure over 2f out, disputing well held 2nd over 1f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Akavit (9-7) at Bath 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) fm in Apr.
Sweet Midnight 100-1 (8-7) Always towards rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 7, 23l behind Recently Acquired (8-12) at Southwell 1m mdn auc stks (6) fbs in Apr.
