in touch, ridden and no impression over 2f out, switched left over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead towards finish
led after 1f, quickened pace 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed towards finish
tracked leaders, effort 2f out, kept on to go 3rd post, not trouble leaders
in touch in rear, ridden 4f out, some late headway
in touch, headway 3f out, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, kept on one pace and lost 3rd post
raced wide keen tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Nonrunner
Minstrel Lad attempts to repeat last year's success. He has improved since but a 12lb higher mark may prove beyond him. Scarlet Sash was still beaten five lengths when runner-up at Chepstow and Sexy Secret's only win in 30 starts came on the all-weather. Chapter And Verse is up 4lb for his recent victory over track and trip but remains on a decent mark compared to his rating on the all-weather. He should go well again but JACOBS SON is just preferred having separated a couple of much higher rated horses when second in a claimer at Catterick ahead of subsequent winner Lexington Bay.
Jacobs Son 9-2 (9-13) Soon pushed along and chased leaders, chased winner after 3f, ridden over 3f out, kept on and held near finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Stepping Ahead (9-13) at Catterick 1m 4f clm stks (6) sft.
Chapter And Verse (IRE) 4-1 (9-2) Led after 2f, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr beating Euroquip Boy (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Scarlet Sash 3-1 (8-12) Held up in last pair, headway on outside 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, every chance 2f out, one pace and no chance with winner final furlong, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Grace And Favour (9-7) at Chepstow 1m 2f fll hcp (0-75) (5) gd.
Dark Diamond (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and slightly outpaced 3f out, switched right over 2f out, 5th of 8, 11l behind Marciano (9-0) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Apr.
Russian Remarque 14-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakening when hung right over 1f out, 8th of 16, 15l behind Compton Bird (9-6) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Ela Goog La Mou 8-1 (8-11) Took keen hold, soon led, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Grand Liaison (9-5) at Doncaster 1m 2f fll hcp 0-70 (5) sft.
Sexy Secret 5-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, chased leader over 3f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, soon headed ran on, 2nd of 9, nk behind Third Strike (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Apr.
Minstrel Lad 16-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, switched right and headway over 2f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd last stride, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Merchant Of Medici (8-7) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gs.
