Coin Of The Realm demolished a fair field here last time out but a hefty rise in the weights for last-year's winner makes life tough so preference instead is for SEEKING THE BUCK ahead of Run For Ede's. Ralph Beckett has his horses in grand form and this gelding is likely to be well-fancied as he looks to win at this meeting for the second year in a row. The longer trip shouldn't bother him and with a good record fresh he is hard to ignore. Final Victory impressed with the way he won at Goodwood last time, and that reinforced the fine performance of Coin Of The Realm who had left him in his wake here the month before. Plaisterer drops in grade, Siberian Tiger was in good form over hurdles this winter and has missed several other engagements lately, perhaps with one eye on this prize, whilst King Olav and Aurorian have both been in good form in lesser races over the past two months. Perpetually remains capable of better and now tries a combination of blinkers and Keiren Fallon, Fortuni was well-held at York and needs to improve massively, whilst Run For Ede's is a course and distance winner and Pat Phelan's locally-trained mare is not discounted despite being out of the weights. Hugh Morrison's Cill Rialaig is another to consider, especially as the course winner shaped really well behind Alainmaar on his comeback and should strip fitter for the outing. A wonderfully intricate handicap then, but the vote goes to Seeking The Buck.
Coin of The Realm (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, switched right going well over 2f out, led well over 1f out, soon drew well clear, ridden right out, easily, won at Epsom Downs 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr beating Final Victory (8-10) by 8l, 9 ran.
Plaisterer 16-1 (8-12) Bumped start, raced centre, in rear, outpaced over 3f out, 6th of 8, 14l behind Strawberrydaiquiri (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 1f fll stks G3 (1) gs in May.
King Olav (UAE) 4-1 (9-4) Chase leader, reminder over 4f out, led over 3f out, soon hard ridden, held on well under pressure, won at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May beating Wind Star (8-10) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Seeking The Buck (USA) 8-1 (9-5) Prominent, chasing winner over 9f out, ridden over 3f out, lost 2nd just over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 14, 6l behind Whispering Gallery (9-3) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Aug.
Cill Rialaig 7-1 (9-0) In touch, effort on outside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not quite pace to challenge, 4th of 15, 5l behind Alainmaar (9-10) at Epsom Downs 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Apr.
Recession Proof (FR) 12-1 (8-7) Mid-division, driven and stayed on same pace final 2f, never on terms, 5th of 11, 11l behind Imposing (8-12) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Reve De Nuit (USA) 33-1 (8-8) Held up towards rear on outer, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 10l behind Forte Dei Marmi (9-3) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf in May.
Pevensey (IRE) 40-1 (8-9) Mid-division, took closer order 7f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 15th of 17, 45l behind Tinaar (8-9) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in May.
Aurorian (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway and switched left to far rail well over 1f out, driven and kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, stayed on, always just held, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Hollow Green (8-10) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in May.
Resplendent Light 4-1 (9-4) Tracked leader, hard driven over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 20l behind King Olav (9-4) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Fortuni (IRE) 15-2 (8-9) Chased leaders, weakened over 2f out, 14th of 15, 43l behind Hanoverian Baron (8-3) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Mull of Dubai 9-2 (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 7l behind Trip The Light (9-0) at York 1m 4f clm stks (4) gf in May.
Dubai Crest 8-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, not pace to trouble leaders, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Jo'burg (8-11) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Potentiale (IRE) 10-1 (8-5) Restrained start, held up last, stayed from 2f out to modest 4th near finish, never in contention, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Cairnsmore (9-4) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in May.
Siberian Tiger (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 17th of 23, 19l behind Charm School (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Final Victory 9-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May beating Classic Vintage (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Perpetually (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Soon chasing leaders, effort 3f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Final Victory (8-8) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May.
Run For Ede's 5-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, good headway on wide outside over 2f out, soon hung left, went 2nd final furlong, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Some Sunny Day (8-11) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in May.
