chased leaders to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
close up on outside, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, edged left and no extra final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra final furlong
chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened and eased
switched right start, soon chased leaders, not clear run 2f out and over 1f out, ridden and kept on well final furlong
behind, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, just held
chased leaders, headway 2f out, ridden and effort over 1f out, no impression final furlong
My Learned Friend has made giant strides this year and now dropped in class, Andrew Balding's progressive four-year-old is fancied to deny Ezdeyaad. Only beaten two lengths in a recent contest at Sandown, the selection has warranted his rise up the weights. He acts on any ground and he can continue his progression today. Viva Volta is one to watch in the betting as he is starting to look well handicapped, whilst Violent Velocity never seems to run a bad race but is arguably high enough in the weights. Yorkshire Blue needs a strong pace and everything to fall right; at nine years of age he doesn't seem to quite have the sparkle at present. Neon Blue is a course winner, whilst Royal Storm may find this ground on the lively side. Ezdeyaad looks to be the main danger, as Alan Swinbank's gelding impressed from the front recently at Redcar. That form looks solid; however the feeling is that he may not get his own way out in front today. My Learned Friend is progressive, and is taken to win the finale.
Royal Storm (IRE) 11-2 (9-8) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon beaten, 11th of 13, 8l behind Shotley Mac (8-11) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
My Learned Friend (IRE) 4-1co-fav (8-2) Tracked leader after 1f, led over 2f out, pressed 1f out, headed inside final furlong, faded towards finish, 5th of 12, 3l behind Lady Grace (9-13) at Sandown 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Sadeek 5-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along halfway, headway under pressure 2f out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Handsome Falcon (8-5) at Newcastle 7f hcap (4) gf in May.
Ezdeyaad (USA) 5-1 (9-13) Made all, clear after 2f, pushed out final furlong, eased close home, won at Redcar 1m hcp 0-75 (5) frm beating Just Bond (9-9) by 1l, 8 ran.
Trimlestown (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Always towards rear, last of 9, 18l behind First Buddy (9-10) at Musselburgh 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in May.
Viva Volta 9-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 12, 6l behind Handsome Falcon (8-5) at Newcastle 7f hcap (4) gf in May.
Thabaat 40-1 (8-10) Mid-division until weakened 2f out, last of 11, 12l behind Phluke (8-13) at Warwick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Violent Velocity (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-8) Held up behind leaders, driven 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 4l behind Yamal (9-3) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-75 (5) frm.
Yorkshire Blue 5-2 (9-10) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 7, 8l behind No Grouse (8-12) at Hamilton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Neon Blue 15-2 (9-0) Towards rear and soon chased along, headway over 1f out, never reached challenging position, 6th of 12, 8l behind Royal Dignitary (9-3) at Redcar 7f clm (5) gf.
