held up in rear, good headway on inside over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, comfortably
slowly into stride, steadied in rear, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on, never going pace to reach leaders
held up towards rear, shaken up over 2f out, never dangerous
raced wide in mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, weakened 3f out
chased leaders on outside, ridden and weakened 2f out
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
raced freely, led, kept on well when pressed from 2f out, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards, held on for 2nd
sweating, always prominent, ridden and every chance 2f out, ran on, one pace final furlong to press for 2nd near finish, no chance with winner
chased leaders in 3rd, driven to challenge 3f out, weakened entering final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, effort and hung right from 2f out, no impression after
mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
always in rear
in touch, pushed along 3f out, steadily lost place
took keen hold in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace
Withdrawn
Top Speed, Alessano and Augustine look the more likelier options on paper and we shall stick with Top Speed. Mick Channon's top-weight was racing off marks in the mid-90's last year but he took full advantage of a lenient mark at Bath last week and off a 7lb penalty - this race is here for the taking. Alessano is a previous winner over course-and-distance. He looks a reformed character since a gelding operation and the market is watched in case there is any support on this occasion. Augustine had a busy April and should not want for match fitness. He raced a little too keenly at Pontefract on his latest outing and will need to be settled early in order to get the trip. Zamboozle ran disappointingly at Newmarket and is much better than the performance suggests. The Violin Player is back to a much more realistic trip this afternoon but could need some respite from the handicapper before he hits the right note. Harcourt had some bits and pieces of form for Paul Cole but has shown little for Con Horgan. A difficult getting out stakes and we side with the in-form Top Speed to send the punters home happy.
Top Seed (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, good headway on wide outside over 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, soon clear, won at Bath 1m 4f hcap (4) gd in Apr beating Prince Vector (9-1) by 3l, 12 ran.
Zamboozle (IRE) 9-1 (8-4) Held up, headway 3f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened 2f out, soon eased, 13th of 16, 18l behind Mikao (8-3) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr.
Alessano 9-2 (9-1) Tracked leader, driven over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 15l behind Chantaco (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Oct.
The Violin Player (USA) 7-1 (8-12) Started slowly, always in rear, no chance final 3f, 7th of 9, 14l behind Llamadas (7-6) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Mar.
Azizam 33-1 (8-6) Led for 2f, tracked leader until weakened 4f out, last of 14, 38l behind Miss Provvidence (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
North Lodge (GER) 10-1 (9-5) Held up 4th, ridden and effort over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 11l behind Sirce (9-5) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr.
Ocean Avenue (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) Led after 2f, headed over 3f out and weakened quickly, 13th of 14, 36l behind Miss Provvidence (8-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Mister Right (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 32l behind Reluctant Suitor (8-3) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Prime Contender 13-2 (9-0) Behind, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 13th of 14, 27l behind Trance (9-8) at Newbury 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Burgundy 25-1 (9-3) Held up, pushed along over 5f out, never on terms, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Shaunas Vision (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcap (5) pol in Apr.
Love Angel (USA) 33-1 (8-4) Started slowly, always towards rear, never a factor, 11th of 14, 21l behind Yakimov (8-6) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
Harcourt (USA) 100-1 (9-2) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened over 2f out, 13th of 14, 13l behind Sir Haydn (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Hawk Arrow (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Held up, headway 6f out, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 19, 18l behind Fen Game (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Prime Powered (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) In touch on outer, ridden, hung left, not look keen over 1f out, soon beaten, 10th of 13, 9l behind Principal Witness (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Mixing 14-1 (8-8) Towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 19l behind Tagula Blue (8-5) at Pontefract 1m 2f app hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Augustine 15-8fav (9-10) Took keen hold behind leader, led over 5f out, headed over 2f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Tagula Blue (8-5) at Pontefract 1m 2f app hcp (5) gd in Apr.
