slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 3f out never nearer
keen, mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd close home
slowly into stride, raced mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened quickly well over 1f out
steadied start, soon switch left from wide draw, held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression
raced wide, held up, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and some improvement 3f out, weakened 2f out
close up, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out one pace
steadied start, held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching 2f out, ran on to take 2nd close home
close up, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, headway when hampered over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3f out
slowly into stride always in rear
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, hampered over 1f out, one pace
keen in mid-division, headway from 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden out
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 3f out, headed over 2f out, one pace and edged right over 1f out
In order of preference Film Queen, Espejo and Tapas Lad form our short-list in an uninspiring finale. Both of the first two horses named have their stamina to prove at this trip and neither are certain to get it on breeding but both have raced as if well worth a try at this longer trip. Film Queen was doing all of her best work at the end of Bath's mile in a similar contest to this one when last seen and Seb Sanders may be able to persuade her to put her head in front where it matters. Espejo ran on from off the pace to finish a never nearer sixth over an extended mile at Wolverhampton last time suggesting that, he too, may be able to see out this sort of trip and this is certainly his grade. Tapas Lad comes into the race on the back of a decent effort in a handicap at Warwick and, as such, has to be accorded the utmost respect in this company. He usually finds one to beat him though so we'll take a chance with Film Queen.
Blockley (USA) 16-1 (8-12) Held up, some late headway under pressure final 2f, 7th of 13, 12l behind Sir Duke (9-2) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
Dubai Shadow (IRE) 13-2 (8-13) In touch, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 28l behind Floodlight Fantasy (8-5) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Espejo (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden and hung left over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 9, 3l behind Supercast (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Feb.
Film Queen (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance final furlong, no extra, 4th of 16, 1/2l behind Turkish Sultan (9-7) at Bath 1m stk (6) gs in Apr.
Hayley's Flower (IRE) 12-1 (8-2) In touch, ridden 2f out, soon lost place, weakened quickly over 1f out, 11th of 12, 10l behind Lough Beg (8-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Abfabfong (IRE) 22-1 (8-8) Always behind, 9th of 11, 26l behind Topazes (9-8) at Folkestone 7f 3yo hcp (6) gs.
Amicus 25-1 (9-4) Switched left start, held up in rear, headway 2f out, hung left 1f out, bumped inside final furlong, never dangerous, 8th of 13, 13l behind Black Dahlia (9-2) at Great Leighs 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Coral Shores 9-1 (8-5) Tracked leading pair, ridden and weakened 2f out, last of 7, 9l behind Bridge of Fermoy (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo clm (6) pol in Mar.
Jemiliah 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, hung left approaching final furlong and weakened, 5th of 11, 6l behind Novestar (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Lady Florence 40-1 (8-1) Prominent, went 2nd 6f out until 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 24l behind Precision Break (8-9) at Warwick 1m 5f 3yo hcp (5) gs.
Madame Bountiful 80-1 (9-0) Chased leaders early, behind final 3f, last of 15, 17l behind Minshar (9-0) at Leicester 6f 2yo mdn fll aut (6) gs in Oct.
Poppy Red 28-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden and weakened over 4f out, virtually pulled up final 2f, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Art Exhibition (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Romford Car Two 50-1 (8-7) Towards rear, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, 14l behind Mista Rossa (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Royal Soverin 28-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders until over 3f out, 6th of 9, 20l behind Hollander (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Apr.
Tapas Lad (IRE) 17-2 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon hung left, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Challow Hills (9-3) at Warwick 1m 3yo hcp (6) gs.
Whatalotofbuts 25-1 (9-3) Always behind, 8th of 9, 20l behind Crimson Mitre (9-3) at Southwell 1m 3f 3yo mdn aut (6) gf in Apr.
