led, 6 lengths clear halfway, reduced lead over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, plugged on and lost 2nd close home
in touch, headway to chase clear leader over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong
dwelt towards rear, never on terms
tracked leader until 7f out, tracked leaders, chased clear leader again over 3f out until ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd close home
dwelt, in rear, pushed along over 3f out, never nearer
close up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
went left start, raced very wide until switched right to track leader 7f out until over 3f out, weakened 2f out
towards rear, weakened over 3f out, tailed off
dwelt, towards rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, never nearer
Contrast is tricky to assess should he turn up here. His first two outings of the campaign suggested he's ready to win - a view shared by punters who backed the gelding into favouritism at Beverley on Thursday. However, he disappointed in coming home ninth of eleven, but he does remain of interest if given this immediate chance to put things right. BIG BEAR HUG ran his best race for well over a year when runner-up over the extended mile at Nottingham and is weighted to go well once again with the additional distance expected to suit. He's just preferred to Silastar, whose latest effort suggested that he's another likely to strike soon and Ryan Moore is aboard for father Gary. Simulation Theory and Ivy Avenue could also play a part with the latter preferred of the pair.
Simulation Theory (IRE) 7-1 (9-11) Led, ridden 3f out, headed over 2f out, plugged on thereafter, 4th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Can't Stop Now (9-4) at Redcar 1m 2f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Silastar 2-1fav (9-8) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, stayed on into 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Devizes (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Long Call 6-1 (10-10) Held up, pushed along and made no impression before 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 9, 22 1/4l behind Weebill (12-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Big Bear Hug 7-2 (9-6) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, hung left and stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, not pace of winner, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Nine Elms (9-3) at Nottingham 1m hcp (6) sft in Apr.
Ivy Avenue (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Close up, headway over 2f out, pushed along to lead over 1f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Don't Look Back (9-5) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Apr.
Contrast (IRE) 11-4fav (8-12) Towards rear, wide and pushed along over 2f out, never a factor, 9th of 11, 15 1/4l behind The Nu Form Way (9-8) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp (5) gs in Apr.
Iftikhaar (IRE) 125-1 (9-5) Steadied start, raced keenly in rear, never a factor, 12th of 13, 10 1/2l behind Devizes (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Zoffany Portrait (IRE) 40-1 (9-1) Led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Aone Ally (9-8) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Apr.
Cuban Strike 66-1 (9-6) Soon led, headed over 3f out, tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, weakened final furlong, 11th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Urban Road (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Order Of St John 11-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, led 8f out, pushed along and headed over 2f out, soon hung right and lost 2nd, weakened final furlong, 5th of 14, 9 3/4l behind Daphne May (9-6) at Bath 1m 2f hcp (6) sft in Apr.
