took keen hold, held up in 7th, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
tracked leading pair, 3rd straight, switched right to chase leader over 1f out, led entering final furlong, edged left, kept on under pressure
raced in 4th, pushed along 3f out, edged left and stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
led at decent pace, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always last, struggling straight, eased when no chance final 2f
slowly into stride, held up in 6th, headway on outside over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, not pace to trouble front pair
tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on well
It may just be worth taking a chance with the lowest rated horse in the race, Mia's Boy. Chris Dwyer's gelding failed to live up to his big reputation for previous connections last season but he has gone from strength to strength this year. He only beat Blythe Knight by three and a half lengths last time when in receipt of a stone but is a fast improving horse. Blythe Knight, who won this race last year, wouldn't have been suited by the quick conditions at York but neither would the selection whose style of running looks ideally suited to this small field. Blythe Knight hasn't won in a year and this race looks stronger than last year's contest but he's sure to have been well prepared. Majestic Roi may well leave her below par reappearance run behind but only two horses have defied penalties in a decade and both were trained at Kingsclere. Don't Panic has flattered to deceive since his impressive win in the Spring Mile and needs to pull out a little more. Metropolitan Man usually finds one too good, the frontrunning Dunelight makes some appeal but the yard could be in better form and the opposition will be alive to his game plan. Alexandros didn't run too badly in the Dee Stakes and should be suited by the return to a mile as should the Godolphin first string, Young Pretender, who seemingly failed for stamina in the Dante. Cases can be made for both but Godolphin have a poor record in a race in which older horses have held sway in recent years and we prefer to side with an in-form, progressive horse in the shape of MIA'S BOY.
Majestic Roi (USA) 11-1 (8-11) Went right start, mid-division, effort 2f out, soon ridden, weakened quickly over 1f out, 10th of 11, 11l behind Creachadoir (9-0) at Newbury 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in May.
Blythe Knight (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Soon chasing leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Mia's Boy (8-7) at York 1m lst hcp (1) gf in May.
Don't Panic (IRE) 15-8 (9-0) In touch, raced keenly, effort over 1f out, soon every chance, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Cesare (9-7) at Ascot 1m lst stk (1) gs in Apr.
Dunelight (IRE) 10-3 (9-6) Led, went 3 lengths clear over 2f out, just lead over 1f out, soon strongly pressed, headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Ordnance Row (9-2) at Windsor 1m lst stk (1) gf in May.
Metropolitan Man 15-8fav (9-2) Held up in 6th, outpaced over 2f out, squeezed through to take 3rd and hung left final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Ordnance Row (9-2) at Windsor 1m lst stk (1) gf in May.
Mia's Boy 15-2 (8-7) Held up in touch, not much room over 1f out, soon switched right, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at York 1m lst hcp (1) gf in May beating Lang Shining (8-7) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Young Pretender (FR) 12-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 11l behind Tartan Bearer (9-0) at York 1m 2f 3yo Grp 2 (1) gf in May.
Alexandros 4-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, challenging when bumped over 1f out, soon hung left and beaten, 4th of 8, 7l behind Tajaaweed (8-12) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in May.
