Serene Beauty made a winning start at Wolverhampton in March but this is much tougher and her trainer does not have a great record at the track. Eastern Dragon's win here in October was one of three victories last year that all came on testing ground and it was also heavy going when Cosmic Ray won at Windsor last term. GORING made amends for an earlier disqualification when winning a Beverley maiden last time. He beat a horse rated 76 so should cope at this level now handicapping and gets the nod.
Eastern Dragon (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) Dwelt raced stand side close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 11l behind Duelling Dragon (8-11) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Apr.
Freud (FR) 14-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, shaken up over 1f out, no impression, last of 6, 4 1/2l behind For Shia And Lula (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) in Apr.
Lu's Buddy (GR) 13-8fav (9-7) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, pushed along and edging left 2f out, ridden hung left and one pace over 1f out, no impression, left in modest 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Gannicus (9-2) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Goring (GER) 10-11fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, shaken up to lead approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on, won at Beverley 1m 3yo mdn aut (5) gf in Apr beating Thunder In Myheart (9-0) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Serene Beauty (USA) 4-5fav (8-4) Raced wide close up, headway to chase leader entering final furlong, pushed along to lead well inside final furlong, readily, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn fll (5) in Mar beating Lashkaal (8-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Cosmic Ray 16-1 (9-5) Steadied start, pulled very hard in rear, headway inside final furlong, ran on, never nearer, 6th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Them And Us (9-6) at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
