steadied start, held up in rear on rail, gradually switched right to outside from 2f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, went 3rd towards finish
chased leaders on outside, chased leader 2f out, ridden to challenge and every chance when rider dropped whip well over 1f out, chased winner 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders on rail, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, eased when no chance well inside final furlong
took keen hold early, held up tracking leaders, headway well over 1f out, ridden to lead just over 1f out, ran on
took keen hold, tracked leader, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, eased when no chance final furlong
led ridden 2f out, soon pressed, headed just over 1f out, no impression on leading duo, lost 3rd towards finish
soon pushed along in 6th, ridden and struggling over 2f out, never on terms
Given that Listed winner MATSUNOSUKE hasn't dropped below a class four event since 2007 it's something of a surprise to see him entered here and it'll be a surprise if he's beaten too; we expect him to account for the likes of Silver Wind, Piazza San Pietro and Aroundthebay. Our selection is better known for his exploits on artificial surfaces but this 14-time winner is a capable sort on all types of ground including that faced here. Four of his victories have come over six furlongs so despite the fact he's best suited by a strongly-run five there are few concerns on that score and he's got plenty in hand over all rivals bar Lindoro. With Mick Quinlan's runner surely flattered by his rating of 80 it's the veteran Matsunosuke who gets the vote having run a solid race in a hot handicap last time. Silver Wind is likely to make a race of it though; Kieren Fallon is riding well at present and his mount is a course and distance winner who stayed on well for a close second last time, although despite having ground to suit the 10lbs he has to find on the figures may prove too much in the end. Similar comments apply to Harry Dunlop's Aroundthebay, whose sole turf success came here at Folkestone. She's been a tad disappointing this year but in much better company and there should be little between her and Silver Wind in the assumed battle for second. Piazza San Pietro can show that current form counts for plenty by outrunning his odds; Andy Haynes has his yard thriving and this consistent type is at his best over six furlongs on fast ground, so arriving as he does on the back of a narrow success this four-year-old is likely to run his race. Since winning an Epsom handicap off 83 last October Lindoro has done nothing but regress and with this trip on the sharp side he continues to look opposable in a race taken to go to Matsunosuke.
Matsunosuke 33-1 (8-10) Last early, kept on final furlong, never on terms, 7th of 11, 9l behind Noverre To Go (8-11) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in May.
Silver Wind Evensfav (9-8) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, driven well over 1f out, ran on to take 2nd towards finish, no real impression on winner, readily held, 2nd of 8, nk behind Timeteam (9-0) at Windsor 6f clm stks (5) gd in May.
Aroundthebay 33-1 (8-13) Raced freely, led until over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 26l behind Satwa Laird (9-4) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Piazza San Pietro 12-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, stayed on to lead final strides, won at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd beating Requisite (8-7) by shd, 10 ran.
Jimmy Ryan (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened well over 1f out, last of 10, 18l behind Taurus Twins (9-1) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Lindoro 7-2 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out on outer, soon chasing leaders, one pace, 6th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Rapid City (9-7) at Leicester 1m sell stks (6) gf in May.
Bahama Baileys 5-1 (9-8) Raced towards rear, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind My Flame (9-8) at Brighton 7f stks 0-55 (6) gf in May.
Sapphire Spirit (USA) 100-1 (9-0) Towards rear, under pressure and outpaced halfway, last of 16, 18l behind Hot Pursuits (8-12) at Windsor 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Oct.
