chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader 2f, stayed in 3rd, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
held up towards rear, edging left when switched right to outside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 4th near finish
in touch in 5th, not clear run and switched left to inside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd final 100 yards, not pace to reach leading duo
took keen hold in mid-division on inside, pushed along 3f out, ridden and effort 2f out, weakening when hampered on rail well over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
steadied start, held up in last trio, headway on outside over 3f out, chased leaders over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
mid-division, headway over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ridden and ran on well
led at steady pace, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, weakened final 100 yards
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never reached leaders, no chance when hung left over 1f out
steadied start, held up in last trio, pushed along on inside 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to threaten leaders
prominent, tracked leader after 2f, ridden to dispute lead and every chance 1f out, not pace of winner inside final furlong
Sir Michael Stoute has a habit of winning this race in alternate years and having not won it twelve months ago it could be the turn of VERDANT, who has the capacity to start a short price but he is hard to oppose; Constant Contact and Doctor Zhivago join Life And Soul on the list of most pertinent dangers. The Singspiel colt looked a tad slow at Newbury last time but his jockey managed to find plenty of trouble and he is better than the bare result. If he handles the hill then he should put up a much better display. Power Series is more exposed but not ignored, along with Arlequin whose trainer is electric when teaming up with Philip Robinson. The longer trip may help Our Joe Mac, Constant Contact has a good record here which is a major plus, whilst Doctor Zhivago finished ahead of the selection last time out and has been harshly put up 2lbs for being beaten seven lengths. Dandino is progressing well and the hat-trick is entirely possible if he converts his flat-track form to here, whilst the consistent duo of Paintball and Life And Soul look the best of the rest. Sylvester Kirk won the race last year so gallant Eagle is not discounted with Jamie Spencer booked, however we will plump for Verdant.
Our Joe Mac (IRE) 4-1fav (8-12) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 8l behind Balducci (8-3) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp (2) gf in May.
Constant Contact 7-2 (9-1) Led at decent pace, narrowly headed over 2f out, driven over 1f out, rallied gamely under strong pressure inside final furlong, regained lead on line, won at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) sft in May beating Invincible Soul (8-12) by ns, 5 ran.
Power Series (USA) 4-1 (9-4) Raced wide, in touch, ran wide into straight 2f out, ridden and headway entering final furlong, soon chased winner, no impression near finish, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Sea Lord (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) pol in May.
Verdant 2-1fav (9-4) Held up towards rear, switched right 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, but never a threat, 7th of 15, 10l behind Green Moon (8-11) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Arlequin 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division on outside, headway 3f out, hung left and not clear run over 2f out, switched right, ridden and stayed on to challenge inside final furlong, led post, won at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May beating Rigidity (9-1) by ns, 15 ran.
Doctor Zhivago 25-1 (9-1) In touch, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, went 3rd 2f out, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 15, 7l behind Green Moon (8-11) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Quick Reaction 14-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 13, hd behind Agent Archie (8-10) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Dandino 12-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, headway on inner to lead over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on well, won at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr beating Rigidity (8-13) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Fine Sight 16-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, lost place well over 1f out, soon beaten, 9th of 12, 12l behind Yaa Wayl (8-8) at Chester 1m 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
Gallant Eagle (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Started slowly, held up last, not clear run on inside and switched left 2f out, staying on same pace when switched left again over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to 4th near finish, never able to challenge, 4th of 9, 6l behind Soul Station (9-2) at Goodwood 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Paintball (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Pressed leader, grabbed stand rail in straight, led over 2f out, soon edged right, headed entering final furlong, no impression on winner, kept on to hold 2nd, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Spanish Duke (9-7) at Salisbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in May.
Life And Soul (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Keen tracked leaders, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, soon headed, kept on, 3rd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Agent Archie (8-10) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Kingdom Of Munster (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Mid-division, lost place over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 14l behind Yaa Wayl (8-8) at Chester 1m 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
