tracked leader, ridden over 3f out every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened and beaten over 2f out
slowly into stride and towards rear, ridden 4f out, some headway until over 2f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, good headway from over 1f out to lead inside final furlong, kept on well
slowly into stride and behind, ridden over 3f out, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, no impression
led and keen early, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong and soon weakened
In the seller, Scuzme gets the call ahead of Bold Cruz and The Jailer. Scuzme missed the break but then stayed on for a never-nearer finish last time and, dropping into this company for the first time, has to be considered. Down to this grade for the first time, and with Robert Winston having been booked, Bond Cruz has to be considered. Royal Moon disappointed when dropped to this grade for the first time last time and has something to prove now, although he cannot entirely be ruled out, and Lucys Lady won similar events last year but over shorter trips and then her form regressed. The Jailer keeps knocking at the door and seemed to improve a little in cheekpieces last time so has to be considered for a place at least but the others are hard to build strong cases for. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Scuzme.
Augustus Livius (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 15, 7l behind Zabeel Tower (8-7) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gd in Apr.
Bond Cruz 11-2 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 14, 12l behind Stolen Glance (8-8) at Southwell 1m 3yo hcp (6) fbs in Apr.
Ever Special (IRE) 40-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, ridden and kept on final 2f, no impression, 6th of 15, 7l behind Zabeel Tower (8-7) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gd in Apr.
Royal Moon (USA) 7-1 (8-9) Towards rear, ridden halfway, some late progress, 5th of 10, 7l behind Inaminute (8-12) at W'hampton 7f 3yo sll (6) pol in Apr.
Scuzme (IRE) 7-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 14, 7l behind Musicmaestroplease (8-5) at Yarmouth 7f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Mar.
Lucys Lady 33-1 (8-8) Hampered start, behind, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 14l behind Smile For Us (9-4) at Yarmouth 6f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Apr.
Red Iris (IRE) 100-1 (8-12) Always behind, 8th of 10, 10l behind Stonehaugh (9-3) at Catterick 7f 3yo mdn (5) frm in Apr.
The Jailer 15-2 (8-12) Led, ridden over 2f out, soon clear, headed near finish, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Indigo Dancer (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) std in Apr.