in touch, ridden 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, kept on
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, faded
slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, edged left from over 3f out, led over 1f out, headed line
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on
held up, ridden and switched left 2f out, not reached leaders
reared start, keen, weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, rallied final furlong, kept on to lead line
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out
in rear, well behind from 3f out
A tricky finale where it may pay to side with SHADED EDGE ahead of Wing Play and Ryedale Ovation. Serena Brotherton is one of the more experienced riders in this line-up and it looks significant that she's been signed up to partner Shaded Edge. The selection has to carry a penalty for his win at Salisbury but won readily and is capable of following up. Wing Play is tried in blinkers which could have a positive effect on the gelding who has seemed more at home on artificial surfaces than grass to date. Ryedale Ovation also has a better record on the all-weather but he has won on grass and should be competitive. Others to bear in mind include Carlitos Spirit, My Learned Friend and Paraguay but the claims of the in-form Shaded Edge are preferred.
Carlitos Spirit (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Soon tracking winner, ridden 3f out, faded final furlong, 7th of 12, 6l behind Twilight Star (11-0) at Sandown 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
My Learned Friend (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden and hung right 2f out, soon one pace and no impression, 5th of 12, 5l behind April Fool (8-6) at Kempton 7f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Paraguay (USA) 9-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up, effort over 3f out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 15l behind Hilbre Court (8-11) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Apr.
I Confess 11-2 (8-3) Chased leader, ridden over 3f out, soon driven and one pace, 5th of 14, 6l behind Horatio Carter (9-1) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Ryedale Ovation (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Keen hold in mid-division, pushed along 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace to troubled leaders, 5th of 12, 4l behind Driven (9-1) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Apr.
Wing Play (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, no impression when hung left over 1f out, 6th of 12, 7l behind Campli (8-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Apr.
Tuxedo 11-2 (9-2) Held up behind division, headway on inner over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no extra close home, 5th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Super Frank (9-3) at Lingfield 7f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
Shaded Edge 13-2 (10-7) Always prominent, led over 2f out, ridden clear final furlong, easily, won at Salisbury 7f ldy hcp 0-65 (6) gf beating Manchestermaverick (9-12) by 4 1/2l, 16 ran.
Batchworth Blaise 33-1 (9-5) Slowly away, in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 16, 6l behind Shaded Edge (10-7) at Salisbury 7f ldy hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Ishibee (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Led, ridden over 1f out, fading when headed inside final furlong, 7th of 10, 5l behind Green Velvet (8-12) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Mar.
Captain Sirus (FR) 66-1 (9-0) Led, ridden 2f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out, soon eased when beaten, 10th of 12, 8l behind Tarkamara (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 3yo stks (7) pol in Dec.
Sovereignty (JPN) 16-1 (9-10) Raced on outside, hung badly right to far rail over 2f out, always in rear, last of 16, 30l behind Shaded Edge (10-7) at Salisbury 7f ldy hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
