tracked leaders in 4th, eased out 2f out, led inside final 2f, driven and kept on well final furlong
led for 1f, settled in 5th, not much room 2f out, switched left over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd final 50 yards, not reached winner
chased leaders, driven on inside over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up last, ridden on outside over 2f out, moderate headway final furlong
chased leader, ridden along entering straight, driven to lead briefly 2f out, unable to quicken final furlong
slowly into stride, soon recovered to lead after 1f, ridden over 2f out, narrowly headed 2f out, stayed well there until weakened final furlong
Top Lock is tentatively selected ahead of Whistledownthewind and Savarain. Top Lock finished almost 3 lengths behind Whistledownthewind in the Sandown Group 3 won by Centennial so clearly has something to find with the Chapple-Hyam runner. Chapple-Hyam ruled out the Derby for his colt after the race on the grounds that he didn't travel well enough for Epsom so it's a little surprising to see him turn up here; more positive vibes from the yard would look ominous for the others but that comment from the trainer has to be a concern. Thus, we're siding with Top Lock who is held in high regard by his in-form stable who have eschewed the handicap route for this son of Nayef. His run at Sandown should have taught him plenty and he may be able to bridge the gap. Savarain is the lowest rated horse in the race but has a Derby entry and ran on well to win a warm maiden at this track last time and should go well. City Leader is the highest rated but has plenty to prove with regards to stamina with Scintillo also far from certain to stay given the speed on his dam's side. Mick Channon has won the last two renewals and his runners' have to be respected but we prefer the claims of Top Lock.
City Leader (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 17l behind Twice Over (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Scintillo 100-1 (9-0) Held up mid-dvision, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 17l behind Henrythenavigator (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd.
Siberian Tiger (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace over 1f out, 4th of 11, 7l behind Dr Faustus (8-8) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (2) gd.
Savarain 11-4 (8-9) In touch, not much room briefly over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, driven out, won at Goodwood 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gd beating Dalhaan (8-9) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Top Lock 14-1 (9-0) Led for 1f, pushed along and ran green over 3f out, driven 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 3l behind Centennial (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Whistledownwind 5-1 (9-0) Held up, pushed along over 3f out, headway 2f out, chased winner final furlong, driven and stayed on well, 2nd of 9, nk behind Centennial (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Meeriss (IRE) 3-1 (9-4) Led, headed 4f out, chased winner until ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 9l behind Captain Webb (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 3f 3yo lst stk (1) gf.
