wore ear plugs and edgy, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, went 2nd and every chance 1f out, not pace of winner inside final furlong, stayed on pressing for 2nd
dwelt, headway to track leaders 7f out, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong, battled on well to hold 2nd
took keen hold, raced wide in mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden 2f out, rider dropped rein briefly over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
took keen hold tracking leaders in 5th, every chance 2f out, still chasing leaders over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch in 6th, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
towards rear, pushed along 3f out, never in contention
always towards rear, never involved
chased leader, led briefly entering final 3f, ridden 2f out, hung right and weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, sustained progress on wide outside from 2f out, driven and chased leaders 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well
tracked leading pair, led inside final 3f, ridden and headed over 1f out, chased leaders, no extra in 5th towards finish
took keen hold, held up towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, headway and edged right over 1f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong
toook keen hold, held up in mid-division, headway 2f out, driven and switched right over 1f out, never reached leaders and weakened inside final furlong
held up in last pair, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on into 4th towards finish, never quite going pace to challenge
led, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headed entering final 3f, chased leaders, weakening when slightly hampered on inner over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders
No favourite has won this in the past ten years and the shortest priced winner was 7/1. Mark Johnston has won it three times in that period and relies on the tough Fennell Bay, who is just 3lb higher than when scoring at Thirsk last month and ran well at the meeting a year ago, and Reset City, whose two victories to date have come in lower grade handicaps. Fast Or Free is likely to start market leader despite an absence since landing the Brittannia Handicap at Royal Ascot last year. He won first time out last season and is probably pattern race class though he's up 9lb and this is a very tough race to make a return. Hi There has been racing as though this sort of trip was needed and is just 6lb higher than when scoring at Musselburgh in March so has to go on the short-list along with Nabucco, who showed his quality with a smooth victory in this grade at Newmarket last month, and Blue Surf, though the latter could do with more rain. WHISPERING WARRIOR has more to find but looks capable of doing so despite an 8lb rise for his victory at Newcastle. He's now won five of his last six and a mark of 93 could be underestimating him.
Labarinto 7-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 12th of 15, 11l behind Forgotten Voice (9-2) at Royal Ascot 1m 2f listed hcp 0-110 (1) gf in Jun.
Nabucco 9-4fav (9-5) Led 1f, tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun beating Strictly Silver (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Strictly Silver (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, effort 3f out, one pace and no impression inside final furlong, 8th of 17, 5l behind Star Lahib (8-8) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (4yo+) (2) gf.
Blue Surf 14-1 (9-3) Chased leadedrs on inside, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, plugged on again inside final furlong, no threat, 7th of 16, 8l behind Opinion (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gf in Jun.
Fast Or Free 6-1fav (8-10) Raced far side, chased leaders, led inside final 2f, clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Jun '12 beating Mister Music (9-4) by 1 1/4l, 29 ran.
Expert Fighter (USA) 14-1 (9-0) In touch, effort over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, gradually weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 19, 6l behind Danchai (8-11) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gf.
Clon Brulee (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) Mid-division, driven over 2f out, ridden and stayed on under pressure final furlong, never reached leaders, 5th of 19, 3 1/2l behind Danchai (8-11) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gf.
Whispering Warrior (IRE) 6-4fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, steady headway on outside over 2f out, challenged 1f out, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, driven out, won at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun beating Spirit Of The Law (9-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Tepmokea (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Led early, tracked leader, led over 2f out, driven and headed inside final furlong, held close home, 2nd of 17, 3/4l behind Star Lahib (8-8) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (4yo+) (2) gf.
Viewpoint (IRE) 5-2 (10-0) Chased leaders, under pressure over 3f out, effort over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 4, 9l behind Sennockian Star (9-4) at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Fennell Bay (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along over 3f out, kept on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Vasily (9-8) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 105 (2) gf.
Hi There (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Held up, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 6l behind Sennockian Star (8-11) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
Heddwyn (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Chased leaders over 4f, weakened quickly, 20th of 22, well behind Captain Bertie (8-7) at Newbury 1m hcp 0-105 (2) sft in Apr '12.
Spirit Of The Law (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, headway over 2f out, led well over 1f out, soon ridden and hard pressed, kept on until headed final 100 yards, no extra, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Whispering Warrior (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun.
Calaf 18-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, prominent, ridden to lead 3f out, headed over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 17, 7l behind Warlu Way (9-7) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Reset City 10-11fav (9-5) Steadied start, held up in 3rd, went 2nd 10f out, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and unable to quicken final 110 yards, 2nd of 3, 1 1/2l behind Beacon Lady (7-13) at Brighton 1m 4f flls hcp 0-80 (4) fm.
Vasily 4-1 (10-1) Led, quickened over 4f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Sennockian Star (9-4) at Ascot 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Angel Gabrial (IRE) 50-1 (8-9) Awkwardly away, soon mid-division, outpaced 3f out, ridden and kept on under pressure from over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 6th of 19, 4l behind Danchai (8-11) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) gf.
