tracked leading pair on inside, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off and eased inside final furlong
took keen hold in last pair, pushed along over 2f out, soon beaten
dwelt, held up in 5th, headway into 3rd over 2f out, 2nd over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd
held up last, headway on inside in 4th over 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on but flattered by proximity to eased down winner
shade keen, tracked leaders, 2nd going well over 4f out, ridden and no impression over 1f out, soon lost 2nd, weakened inside final furlong
tracked winner, pushed along 6f out, lost 2nd over 4f out, soon behind and eased, tailed off
made all, quickened tempo inside final 2f, clear over 1f out, rider eased down towards finish, always in command
LORD GEORGE, a good fourth in the Northumberland Plate, came here last month and won a strong handicap over the trip in the style of a useful stayer. He was wearing a first-time visor and, providing it works again, can follow up. Watersmeet is an obvious threat having completed a double over the trip at Lingfield, his 10th all-weather success and 12th in all. He's only ever run here once and that was back in 2014 when just beaten. Bardd has won a Sandown bumper and a Chelmsford maiden but his overall form looks short of the two principles while Curbyourenthusiasm has been beaten by Watersmeet the last twice, though did get much closer last time.
Aussie Reigns (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, soon lost place, last of 6, 12 3/4l behind Watersmeet (9-0) at Lingfield 2m stks (2) pol in Feb.
Bardd (IRE) 9-2 (9-9) Led, pushed along over 2f out, soon headed and weakened quickly, last of 4, 25 1/4l behind Night Of Glory (9-9) at Kempton 1m 4f stks (5) pol in Jan.
Continuum 8-1 (9-12) Dwelt held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 5th of 7, 2 1/4l behind Royal Reserve (10-0) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Curbyourenthusiasm (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Dwelt, behind, headway on wide outside over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Watersmeet (9-0) at Lingfield 2m stks (2) pol in Feb.
Lord George (IRE) 5-2fav (9-13) Raced wide, close up, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on readily, won at Kempton 2m hcp (2) pol in Jan beating Haines (9-9) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Sandro Botticelli (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 10 1/4l behind Watersmeet (9-0) at Lingfield 2m stks (2) pol in Feb.
Watersmeet 1-4fav (9-0) Always prominent, led over 2f out, pushed clear over 1f out, eased closing stages, won at Lingfield 2m stks (2) pol in Feb beating St Mary's (8-9) by 2l, 6 ran.