driven to lead, pressed and driven over 1f out, no extra and headed inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway towards outside over 3f out, went close 3rd and hung badly left behind winner over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, not resolute and refused to go through with effort
held up in last pair, headway towards outside over 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
chased leading trio on inside, reminder 4f out, headway towards outside over 3f out, chased leading pair inside final 2f, went 2nd 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, stayed on
held up well in rear, lost touch halfway, moderate progress final furlong
chased leading pair, went 2nd halfway, driven to challenge 2f out, every chance until over 1f out, soon lost 2nd and weakened inside final furlong
in touch in 5th, ridden along 4f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leader until halfway, stayed front rank, driven over 2f out, stayed on same pace
towards rear, pushed along halfway, soon weakened, tailed off and virtually pulled up final 2f
Withdrawn
Come On The Irons' third at Lingfield last week was a step up on his form in the spring and further improvement would see him in the shake-up here. But we'll stick with ROYAL DEFENCE, who comprehensively outpointed Excellent Vision over C&D two weeks ago. Mick Quinn's five-year-old is 6lb worse off today but should confirm the form. Out Of The Storm was second over C&D last month but behind Come On The Irons last time and re-opposes on the same terms.
Royal Defence (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Chased leader, went 2nd 5f out, led 3f out, in command and stayed on inside final furlong, won at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (6) gd in Jun beating Excellent Vision (8-13) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Professor John (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Mid-division on outside, struggling 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 19l behind Back To Paris (9-9) at Nottingham 1m 2f ladies hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Excellent Vision 16-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, hampered well over 4f out on bend, headway over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 20l behind Monicalew (9-3) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) fm.
Come On The Irons (USA) 33-1 (9-5) Chased leaders on inside, ridden inside final 3f, chased winner over 2f out until over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Mystic Edge (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Bahkov (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, outpaced halfway, headway over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 12, 4l behind Northern Spy (10-12) at Salisbury 7f am hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Jun.
Out Of The Storm 16-1 (9-1) Close up and wide, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 6l behind Mystic Edge (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Dawson Creek (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Chased leader until 5f out, weakened 3f out, tailed off, 9th of 11, 30l behind Royal Defence (9-2) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (6) gd in Jun.
Special Endeavour (IRE) 28-1 (9-5) Close up, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 15th of 17, 30l behind Tanjung Agas (9-7) at Bath 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Jun.
Indian Wish (USA) 20-1 (9-6) Raced wide in rear, never troubled leaders, 8th of 12, 13l behind Westhaven (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in May.
Missprint 50-1 (9-2) Took keen hold tracking leaders, ridden and weakened well over 1f out, 11th of 12, 12l behind Justcallmehandsome (9-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
