held up in rear, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
tracked leaders in 4th, quickened between horses to lead final 100 yards, shaken up and in command after
led at good pace, narrowly headed over 2f out, stayed front rank until weakened inside final furlong
held up in 6th, effort on inside over 1f out, stayed on, not pace of winner final 100 yards
held up in 5th, pushed along 3f out, no impression final 2f
tracked leader, challenging and every chance from 2f out until outpaced inside final furlong
soon settled last, ridden and no response over 2f out
chased leaders in 3rd, led over 2f out, headed and unable to quicken final 100 yards
Formax carries a health warning but still gets our vote ahead of Emperor Court. Marcus Tregoning's gelding has his own ideas about the game but has run his best races in Blighty on the Sussex downs and is partnered by Pat Dobbs who got a great tune out of him last time. He was flattered to finish so close to the winner over ten furlongs here last time but is handicapped to win and has more than enough speed for this trip. Emperor Court has done most of his racing over ten furlongs but is usually allowed to bowl along from the front and is an interesting proposition on this track if Steve Drowne gets the fractions right. If he doesn't though, there's every chance that he could set the race up for a finisher like the selection or Murrin who will need a vintage ride from Spencer if he's to add to last year's course and distance success from a one pound lower mark. Young Bertie and Northern Spy could also feature but we'll take a chance with the enigmatic Formax.
Formax (FR) 15-2 (9-1) Held up last, got through on inside rail over 1f out, soon led, pushed along and headed inside final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Milne Graden (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp 65-99 (3) gs.
Orchard Supreme 33-1 (8-4) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened quickly, 16th of 22, 13l behind Zaahid (8-11) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gf.
Emperor Court (IRE) 13-2jt-fav (9-0) Led, narrowly headed halfway, regained lead over 2f out, strongly pressed final furlong, driven and held on gamely, won at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr beating Shake On It (9-4) by a nk, 14 ran.
Count Ceprano (IRE) 66-1 (7-6) Prominent, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 6th of 22, 4 1/2l behind Zaahid (8-11) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gf.
Alfresco 7-1 (9-1) Held up, hung left from 2f out, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Phluke (8-13) at Warwick 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Northern Spy (USA) 14-1 (8-9) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, took 2nd final strides, not trouble winner, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Viva Vettori (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcap (3) pol.
Rambling Light 10-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, hard ridden 2f out, soon weakened, eased final furlong, 10th of 12, 9l behind Bustan (11-0) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Murrin (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Held up, some headway over 1f out, never on terms, 6th of 15, 11l behind Bankable (9-8) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Apr.
Young Bertie 7-2fav (8-12) Chased leaders, no extra 1f out, 4th of 15, 9l behind Ben Chorley (9-1) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Apr.