prominent, ridden and not much room over 1f out, one pace final furlong
reluctant to race and behind, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
in touch, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong and eased inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
steadied at start and towards rear, headway when not much room over 1f out, staying on when hampered and not much room inside final furlong, switched right and no extra close home
prominent, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong
mid-division, not much room and switched right over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Mark Johnston normally knows the time of day when he pitches a three-year-old in against older opponents, and the move can pay off again with Hadrian who is preferred over Obrigado, Little Jimbob and Goodbye Mr Bond. Hadrian was quite useful as a two-year-old, and had acquitted himself well in decent company this term before coming good at Epsom three weeks ago. This half-brother to ten winners showed gritty determination to hold Langford in what was a good time, and there is every reason to believe that he will go close here before connections decide whether to let him take his chance in the Golden Mile at Goodwood. Strictly on a line through Langford, Obrigado has a clear-cut chance of beating the selection, but he is there to be shot down if attempting to make all. Little Jimbob is another that will ensure there is plenty of pace on, and he can be considered for the frame at least. Goodbye Mr Bond was in terrific form last summer, numbering the Carlisle Bell amongst his list of successes, and this course and distance winner has shown of late that his time is near. He still needs to come back down the weights a bit though, and we return to Hadrian as the answer.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 20-1 (9-12) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 14th of 18, 20l behind Namroud (8-10) at York 1m hcp (3) gd.
Nashaab (USA) 40-1 (9-1) Never better than mid-division, 11th of 23, 7l behind Jedburgh (9-8) at York 7f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Little Jimbob 4-1 (9-5) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Riley Boys (9-0) at Beverley 1m hcp (4) gf.
Obrigado (USA) 11-2 (9-4) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed final furlong, rallied to lead again inside final furlong, headed post, 3rd of 7, hd behind Langford (9-0) at Doncaster 1m stk 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Goodbye Mr Bond 9-2 (8-7) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, chance 1f out, not quicken towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Banknote (8-2) at Haydock 1m hcp (3) gf in Jun.
Libre 6-1 (9-13) Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, staying on when not clear run towards finish, 5th of 9, 3l behind Charmatic (8-13) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (4) gd.
Anduril 12-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, 9th of 15, 3 1/2l behind Hartshead (9-9) at Carlisle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Cat's Whiskers 10-1 (9-13) Prominent, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 15, 23l behind Torrid Kentavr (9-3) at Newcastle 1m hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Hadrian (IRE) 7-2co-fav (9-2) Close up, chased leader over 4f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, driven to lead near finish, won at Epsom 1m 1f hcp (4) gf in Jun beating Langford (9-13) by a nk, 7 ran.
Ballyhurry (USA) 9-2 (9-4) Held up, not clear run until over 1f out, ridden, no impression, 5th of 7, 6l behind Vicious Knight (9-12) at Musselburgh 7f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Spring Goddess (IRE) 50-1 (9-4) Raced far side, in rear, ridden over 2f out, staying on when not much room inside final furlong, 11th of 19, 9l behind Kamanda Laugh (9-10) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
