keen early, close up, effort, hung right 1f out, driven, ran on to lead post
pulled hard, led over 1f, tracked leader after, ridden to lead again over 1f out, soon headed, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on, headed post
pulled hard, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
keen, led over 5f out, ridden, headed over 1f out, no extra
Nonrunner
Mac Love gets the vote over Jedburgh, Philharmonic and Polar Magic, with the other two having it to do on the ratings. The conditions of this contest favour Mac Love, who like Philarmonic, meets most of his rivals off levels despite having a BHB rating of 105. Roger Charlton's five-year-old was extremely useful for John Akehurst on his day, landing the Group 3 Supreme Stakes at Goodwood in 2004 and chasing home Rakti in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury 12 months ago. A proven performer at top level, he shaped well for new connections when second to the in-form Etlaala at Warwick in April, with Jedburgh behind, and should improve enough for the run to be the one to beat here. With Jedburgh seemingly held, a bigger danger may be Philarmonic who got a lot closer to Etlaala in a Listed contest here at the end of April. That formline makes him a worthy foe, and although he has yet to score over seven furlongs, the way that he shaped in Group 2 company at York last time suggests that he is worth another try. Polar Magic makes the step up from handicaps and has 6lb to find with the selection on the ratings, so with the ground a bit lively for him as well, it would appear that Mac Love has been found the right opportunity to gain his first win for his new owners.
Jedburgh 10-3 (8-8) Held up, ridden over 2f out, headway well over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Etlaala (8-8) at Warwick 7f stk (4) gd in Apr.
Mac Love 15-8 (8-8) In touch, ridden to go 2nd well over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Etlaala (8-8) at Warwick 7f stk (4) gd in Apr.
Philharmonic 16-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 16, 7l behind Steenberg (9-2) at York 6f Grp 2 (1) gs in May.
Polar Magic 6-4fav (9-6) Raced freely, held up, headway 2f out, bumped soon after, led 1f out, soon hung badly right, ran on well, won at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-95 (3) gs in May beating Material Witness (9-2) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Will He Wish 11-1 (9-6) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, good headway from over 1f out to lead close home, won at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May beating Stoic Leader (8-13) by a nk, 10 ran.
Lii Najma 7-1 (9-1) Held up behind, headway on outer over 2f out, ran on well inside final furlong to lead post, won at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (6) pol in May beating Emily's Place (9-4) by a shd, 14 ran.
