tracked leaders, pushed along 3, not clear run from 2f out until switched left over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong comfortably
took keen hold, held up in 6th, effort on outer and ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led at steady pace, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final 2f, weakened final furlong
held up last, got through on inside rail over 1f out, soon led, pushed along and headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders in 4th, effort on outside to lead briefly inside final 2f, headed over 1f out, no extra
tracked leader, driven along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Milne Graden is taken to maintain his unbeaten record; Speedy Sam could be the one to chase the selection home. Milne Graden is only 8lbs higher than when winning by a head on his handicap debut at Doncaster in the autumn and his big race entries suggest that connections feel he's capable of a good deal better yet. He certainly won more easily than the winning margin suggests and should be hard to beat here. Formax has proved something of an enigma in his British career to date but he ran one of his better races here and has too much ability to be dismissed. Speedy Sam is another with course form to his name but comes into the race on the back of a decent effort at Wolverhampton and thus looks a more likely danger to the selection. The hard-pulling Robustian could go close if allowed his own way in front as he's capable of winning more races from his current mark. Zero Cool wasn't disgraced last time and could figure but it will be disappointing if Milne Graden can't land this.
Milne Graden 6-1 (8-11) Held up behind leaders, not much room over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home, won at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Ella Woodcock (9-2) by a nk, 13 ran.
Robustian 4-1fav (9-1) Chased leaders, led 4f out, headed over 2f out and weakened, 8th of 11, 9l behind Basra (8-8) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Apr.
Speedy Sam 5-1 (9-4) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, edging right when headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Gold Prospect (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Formax (FR) 20-1 (8-8) Broke well, pulled hard, steadied behind leaders, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened, 14th of 17, 28l behind Lang Shining (8-11) at Newbury 1m hcap (2) sft in Apr.
Zero Cool (USA) 12-1 (9-2) Close up, driven to challenge over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 16, 13l behind Ezdiyaad (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Apr.
Crossbow Creek 20-1 (9-0) Jeld up, headway 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 10l behind Basra (8-8) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-90 (3) pol in Apr.
Invention (USA) 33-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, hung left throughout, weakened over 2f out, last of 15, well behind Bankable (9-8) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Apr.
Artreju (GER) 25-1 (9-4) Raced keenly towards rear, headway inside final 2f, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Rising Force (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
