in rear, pushed along and headway entering final furlong, keeping on when not much room towards finish
keen, early chased leader, ridden 2f out, 2 lengths down entering final furlong, driven and ran on strongly to lead post
in touch, ridden and headway entering final furlong, kept on, not trouble leading pair
chased leaders, ridden halfway, held when hampered inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, headway on inner from over 1f out, ridden and edged right inside final furlong, stayed on
set strong pace, ridden 2 lengths clear entering final furlong, edged right and headed post
raced wide held up, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
raced wide held up, ridden and weakened over 1f out
PRIMROSE VALLEY has beaten most of the field in the process of rattling-up a four-timer. Ed Vaughan's speedy filly hasn't finished improving yet on the evidence of her latest impressive win at Wolverhampton and can overcome a high draw with luck in-running. Portamento was a progressive two-year-old and scored at Wolverhampton in December, beating Apache Storm. He has leading claims on his return and is preferred to stablemate Blue Aegean, who beat Mignolino here a fortnight ago and is one of several looking to reverse earlier running with the selection. That list also includes Harry Hurricane, Anonymous John and Merdon Castle with the latter preferred of that trio partnered by Ryan Moore today.
Harry Hurricane 7-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden and led inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Primrose Valley (8-9) at Wolverhampton 5f cond stks (2) in Mar.
Lightscameraction (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 3/4l behind George Bowen (8-13) at Wolverhampton 6f 3yo hcp (3) in Mar.
Merdon Castle (IRE) 3-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Primrose Valley (8-11) at Lingfield 5f cond stks (3) pol in Feb.
Mignolino (IRE) 2-1 (9-3) Raced wide, tracked leaders, chased winner halfway, ridden and no impression final furlong, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Blue Aegean (9-7) at Lingfield 5f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Mar.
Portamento (IRE) 2-9fav (9-0) Chased leading pair, went 2nd well over 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Wolverhampton 5f Conditions Stakes (2yo) (2) in Dec beating Apache Storm (8-9) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Squats (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) In touch in rear, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 7, 6l behind George Bowen (8-13) at Wolverhampton 6f 3yo hcp (3) in Mar.
Apache Storm 8-1 (9-7) Close up, ridden over 1f out, soon edged left, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 5l behind Blue Aegean (9-7) at Lingfield 5f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Mar.
Blue Aegean 4-1 (9-7) Made all, ridden 3 lengths clear entering final furlong, pushed out, won at Lingfield 5f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Mar beating Mignolino (9-3) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Primrose Valley 9-4fav (8-9) Towards rear, ridden and headway 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, led close home, won at Wolverhampton 5f cond stks (2) in Mar beating Harry Hurricane (9-0) by nk, 8 ran.
Red Stripes (USA) 7-2 (9-2) With leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 5, 12l behind Wanting (9-0) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Anonymous John (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out until over 1f out, stayed on, 4th of 8, 2l behind Primrose Valley (8-9) at Wolverhampton 5f cond stks (2) in Mar.
