hampered start, held up, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden out
chased leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, hampered over 5f out, weakened final furlong
edged right start, led, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Kingsgate Prince continues on the upgrade and and can gain a second Listed success at the expense of Strike Up The Band, Northern Empire and Assertive. The improvement shown by Kingsgate Prince this year has been phenomenal, John Best's three-year-old having scored off a mark of 75 when opening his account in maiden company on the all-weather track here in January. By the time that he chased home Guineas hope Close To You on the Polytrack last month, his rating had risen to 102 on the back of a further three victories, including the valuable Spring Cup run on Winter Derby day. Add to that a fair fourth in the Easter Stakes at Kempton, and you can appreciate just how much he has improved. The drop back to six furlongs is not a problem, and he can add this decent prize to his ever-expanding portfolio. Strike Up the Band was Dandy Nichols' best juvenile last term and was good enough to win the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood on rain-softened ground. He weakened rapidly on his Newmarket return, but this drop back in trip and the return to softer conditions should help him to run a big race. Northern Empire was a good second in the Group 2 July Stakes at Newmarket last July but has not been seen since. He too will like the ground but might need the run, while Greenham third Assertive has a squeak on aline through a horse called Zato. A decent contest can go to Kingsgate Prince.
Strike Up The Band 14-1 (9-7) Pulled hard, raced wide, held up in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 17l behind Misu Bond (8-13) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (1) gf in Apr.
Assertive 4-1 (9-0) Keen hold, steadied behind leaders, effort to chase winner over 1f out, hard driven and no impression when lost 2nd final 50 yards, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Red Clubs (9-0) at Newbury 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Sunny King (IRE) 5-2 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, ran on, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Close To You (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 3yo lst stk (1) pol in Apr.
Northern Empire (IRE) 4-1 (8-10) Pulled hard, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance, hung left under pressure inside final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Ivan Denisovich (8-10) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gs in Jul.
Clare Hills (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Held up behind, ridden over 2f out, no progress over 1f out, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Total Impact (8-4) at Kempton 5f 3yo hcp (2) pol in Apr.
River Thames 100-1 (8-7) Raced stands side, always behind, 14th of 17, 8l behind Paradise Isle (8-13) at Newmarket 6f lst stk (1) gd in Apr.