tracked leaders, led 8f out, clear 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace
held up in touch, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well on outer to lead post
led early, tracked leader, dropped rear over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
soon led, headed 8f out, challenged 2f out, led over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra final 100 yards
in rear and keen, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, took keen hold, went 3rd over 7f out, ridden 2f out, led entering final furlong, kept on, caught post
It should pay to stick with NEVER CAN TELL here. He's been raised the usual 6lb for his recent Chester victory, but he ran out an easy winner on that occasion and looks up to defying a penalty. Loden seemed not to stay the 1m6f when failing to land the odds at Salisbury last month and cannot be written off here, but Prince Apollo and Solicitor have both struggled off higher marks of late. Spate River has won over hurdles since last seen on the Flat in 2009, while Denton still looks too high in the weights.
Alsadaa (USA) 13-2 (9-10) Raced freely, led, went well clear after 4f, ridden over 2f out, getting weary from over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Cosimo De Medici (8-13) at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Denton (NZ) 25-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, tailed off and eased, last of 14, well behind Veiled (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Spate River 5-4fav (9-6) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct '09 beating Spinning (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Solicitor 3-1fav (9-7) Tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, last of 8, 8l behind Pass Muster (9-3) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Prince Apollo 9-1 (8-12) Went to post early, in touch, went 3rd over 3f out, soon ridden, edged left and chased winner inside final furlong, no chance, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Udabaa (9-5) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Loden 4-5fav (9-0) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, pushed along and effort over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 10l behind Captain John Nixon (9-7) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
Never Can Tell (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon recovered to lead, kicked on over 2f out, soon clear, ran on well, won at Chester 1m 4f fll hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gf beating Tweedledrum (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.