close up, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slow into stride, tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, ridden to press winner inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
took keen hold soon steadied to be close up in rear, ridden over 1f out, not trouble leaders
made all, ridden 2f out, driven when pressed inside final furlong, held on gamely
tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
NonRunner
Duke Of North was due to run here yesterday. Shifting Star won this last year and is 6lb lower but is now a teenager who has been feeling his age lately. No Approval was knocking on the door on Polytrack in March but is 0-16 on Turf. Kafeel has had a terrific run on the all-weather but wouldn’t want any more rain and is worse off at the weights than when behind BUZZ LIGHTYERE over track and trip a year ago. Philip Hide’s charge met trouble in-running here last week but still finished ahead of Shifting Star and can record a fourth course victory.
Kafeel (USA) 3-1fav (9-7) In touch, headway on outer over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, asserted towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Mar beating Big Amigo (8-13) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Buzz Lightyere 3-1fav (9-5) Held up, ridden 2f out, ran on towards finish, nearest finish, 4th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Pour La Victoire (9-7) at Brighton 1m hcp (6) gf in Apr.
No Approval (IRE) 3-1fav (9-7) Pulled hard towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on well, 3rd of 8, 1/4l behind The King's Steed (8-13) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Shifting Star (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Soon led, ridden and hung right 2f out, headed over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 3l behind Pour La Victoire (9-7) at Brighton 1m hcp (6) gf in Apr.
Muthraab Aldaar (IRE) 3-1fav (9-7) Held up, not clear run over 1f out, soon switched right, closed but hanging badly left and carried head to one side, went 3rd inside final furlong, unable to challenge, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Dukes Meadow (8-10) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Duke Of North (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, mid-division on outside, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, ridden 2f out, weakened soon after, 8th of 12, 5 1/4l behind East Coast Lady (9-7) at Windsor 1m hcp (5) sft in Oct.