took keen hold, held up in 3rd until ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
took keen hold, raced wide in 4th, dropped to rear over 6f out,
held up last, went 3rd on inside over 3f out, stayed on same pace and no impression
raced keenly, made all, set steady pace until drew clear 10f out, reduced lead over 3f out, ridden stayed on well and in command over 1f out, unchallenged
tracked (clear) winner, closed over 3f out, driven and no impression over 1f out, kept on under pressure towards finish, always held
First Avenue ran really well for fourth in the Queen Alexandra over a longer trip at Ascot and has leading claims with an apprentice taking 7lb off his back. He's preferred to Montaff and Aquilonius but Teak could prove a threat. The latter has a shout on last month's effort at Newmarket and is preferred to stablemate Body Language, who was engaged to run at Beverley yesterday. However, a chance is taken on RAIN MAC as he returns to Flat for the first time since 2011. A winner over 1m4f at Pontefract, he's been hurdling for Donald McCain since then and Paul Hanagan's presence suggests a bold bid is expected in this.
Rain Mac 6-1 (9-0) Raced wide mid-division, ridden 3f out, never on terms, 10th of 15, 4l behind Barbican (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f Handicap (Heritage) (3yo) (2) gd in Sep '11.
First Avenue 40-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, switched right well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish, never nearer, 4th of 19, 2l behind Chiberta King (9-2) at Royal Ascot 2m 6f stks (2) gf in Jun.
Montaff 9-2 (9-6) Held up last, headway on inside over 3f out, went 3rd over 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, one pace and no impression when dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Kashgar (8-11) at Chester 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun.
Aquilonius (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Took keen hold, prominent, led after 1f, ridden 2f out, headed entering final furlong, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Take Two (10-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Teak (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, outpaced 2f out, stayed on final 00 yards, 4th of 8, 2l behind Taglietelle (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Body Language (IRE) 40-1 (8-6) Always towards rear, 8th of 14, 15l behind De Rigueur (8-13) at Haydock 2m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.