slowly into stride and in rear early, headway on outer after 1f and soon led, pushed along over 3f out and soon headed, weakened over 2f out
held up, raced freely, pushed and closed under 2f out, switched left and headway into 3rd over 1f out, soon outpaced by winner, kept on steadily inside final furlong
tracked leader, led under 3f out, edged right under 2f out, pushed along and headed well over 1f out, hung left and weakened inside final furlong
held up and raced freely, raced wide briefly after 2f, headway on outer under 4f out, pushed along in 2nd over 2f out, carried wide under 2f out and soon hung left, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, held final furlong but kept on
led early, tracked leaders after 2f, shaken up under 2f out, led well over 1f out and soon went clear, reduced lead closing stages but well on top
tracked leaders, lost place after 2f and raced towards rear, headway when not clear run briefly under 2f out, carried left over 1f out but soon closed into 2nd, kept on
Mercian Hymn missed out on a hat-trick when dropped down to 1m2f on his reappearance but still went close and is preferred to Merlin's Beard. The latter ended last season with a four-timer but was well beaten on his reappearance and a chance is taken on LOST GOLD. The Godolphin charge makes his handicap debut for a yard in fine form and this longer trip should suit. Downsman will be sharper for a recent comeback and makes more appeal than Cu Chulainn and Party Island of the remainder.
Downsman (IRE) 9-2jfav (9-3) Towards rear, wide and headway over 2f out, soon pushed along, ridden and stayed on one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Noman (9-5) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Mercian Hymn 13-2 (9-3) Held up in 5th, pushed along 3f out, headway out wide over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, went 2nd final 100 yards and closed, just held, 2nd of 8, nk behind Darlectable You (9-5) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Apr.
Cu Chulainn 13-2 (9-6) Close up, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace thereafter, 3rd of 7, 6 1/4l behind Silver Gunn (9-5) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in May.
Lost Gold (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Took keen hold, tracked leader, ridden and lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Nathanael Greene (8-11) at Chepstow 1m 2f stks (5) gf in Apr.
Merlin's Beard 3-1fav (9-9) Raced keenly, held up in 5th, pushed along and unable to quicken over 2f out, soon beaten, 5th of 7, 9 3/4l behind Reverend Hubert (9-10) at Chelmsford City 2m hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Party Island (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway before 2 out, no impression before last, weakened flat, 6th of 7, 11 1/2l behind Charlie's Glance (11-12) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
