pushed along to track leader after 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed final strides
in touch in rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden entering final 2f, driven and headway inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final strides
tracked leaders, effort on inner approaching final furlong, ridden and unable to quicken inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
in touch in rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, no impression
soon led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
keen close up, ridden and headway inside final furlong, driven and stayed on to join 2nd post
The highlight of the card and a chance taken that GOLDEN BIRTHDAY will be fit and ready to do himself justice as he makes his reappearance after landing all three starts since switched to the Flat by Harry Fry, who is making quite a splash with his very select band of performers on the level. The selection was upped in grade on each start last season but responded positively and obviously remains open to more improvement on the Flat after just three starts. He is preferred to Royal Reserve and Fire Fighting, both of whom are battle-hardened sorts. Noble Gift will need to be spot-on after his break in order to successfully adopt his usual front-running tactics and Ay Ay makes most appeal of the trio of four-year-olds.
Noble Gift 25-1 (9-2) Raced wide early, joined pack and led after 2f, driven over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Dance The Dream (9-3) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Fire Fighting (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Chased leaders in 4th, outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous after, 5th of 6, 3 1/4l behind Kyllachy Gala (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Golden Birthday (FR) 11-8fav (9-7) Close up, led over 2f out, ran on, comfortable, won at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp (3) gs in Oct beating Zaidiyn (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Ay Ay (IRE) 15-8fav (9-0) Took keen hold early, tracked leaders, went 2nd over 7f out until over 5f out, handy 3rd until one pace inside final furlong, weakened final 100 yards, 4th of 7, 2 3/4l behind Island Brave (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Lawless Secret 5-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, challenged 5f out, led over 2f out, soon driven, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Contrast (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Fearsome 12-1 (8-11) In rear, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 9, 3/4l behind Koeman (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Royal Reserve 6-1 (9-3) Held up in last pair, dropped to rear and pushed along 3f out, headway between horses over 1f out, ridden to lead 150 yards out, stayed on, headed final strides, 2nd of 7, nk behind Island Brave (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
