Mark Johnston has won this four times in seven years and is represented by LADY MACDUFF, who can continue the sequence. A £34,000 yearling, she made an astonishing 200,000gns as a two-year-old and repaid a fraction of that when landing a decent maiden at Kempton. She's in a Group 3 at the Curragh next month so has to land this if taking up that entry. Icelander also represents the Middleham handler and he's another recent Kempton winner making good progress. Paul Hanagan was on board when Fourth Of June battled to victory over this trip at Yarmouth and takes the ride again on Ed Dunlop's improving colt but the biggest threat may emerge in the shape of Evervescent, placed in a Listed contest at Epsom in June, an excellent fourth in the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar, and a very good second in a tough Musselburgh handicap on his reappearance.
Boris Grigoriev (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, not much room over 2f out, never near leaders, 10th of 15, 19l behind Es Que Love (8-11) at Pontefract 6f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Evervescent (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, effort 2f out, ridden to lead narrowly 1f out, kept on until headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Chapter Seven (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gs.
The Clan Macdonald 5-1 (8-12) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never nearer, 7th of 11, 4l behind Lily's Angel (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo fll Listed stks (1) gs in Jun.
Lady Macduff (IRE) 9-2 (8-11) Led 2f, tracked leader, headway to challenge 2f out, led entering final furlong, ran on well, won at Kempton 1m mdn auc stks (5) pol in Mar beating Safarjal (8-11) by 2l, 6 ran.
Fourth Of June (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, soon hard pressed, held on gamely, won at Yarmouth 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs beating Grizzle (9-7) by nk, 6 ran.
Icelander (USA) 6-4fav (8-9) Tracked leaders, headway on inner over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Kempton 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Feb beating Strawberrymystique (9-9) by 1l, 11 ran.
Loyal Master (IRE) 17-2 (9-2) Led early, chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 8, 8l behind Zakreet (9-5) at Ayr 1m 2yo hcp (2) sft in Sep.
Byronic Hero 25-1 (8-5) Started slowly, in rear, headway on inside and kept on inside final furlong, no danger, 6th of 15, 14l behind Es Que Love (8-11) at Pontefract 6f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
