tracked winner on outer, led narrowly over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong but kept on well for 2nd
led until headed over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead again inside final furlong, drew clear final 75 yards
held up in rear, in touch over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, unable to challenge
steadied start, held up in rear in touch, headway to chase leaders 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked winner, effort 2f out, not paced challenge and one pace from over 1f out
Nonrunner
With Ascot out of commission for the time being, Lingfield can take advantage of staging some decent races today including the Hesmonds Stud Paradise Stakes, a Listed event in which Vortex can gain a deserved victory over Arakan and Mac Love. Gay Kelleway has always believed that Vortex has the potential to be a Group horse, and her six-year-old certainly took a step in the right direction when successfully conceding a stone to most of his rivals in a fair conditions event here 18 days ago. He broke the all-weather course record in the process, and that was no more than he deserved after his unlucky fifth in the Lincoln. He is no slouch on turf either and can make the most of his fitness edge over Arakan. Most of Sir Michael Stoute's inmates have needed a run this term, and although his representative here showed what he is capable of when landing the Group 3 Criterion Stakes at Newmarket last June, that still applies. Mac Love was a credit to connections last term, ending a profitable campaign by taking a Group 3 at Goodwood, but even if he is fit enough, the ground is a worry. That will not be the case with the German raider Horeion Directa who sluiced through the mud when scoring in Milan in October. He should not be ruled out of reaching the frame at least, while Millennium Force is capable on his day, but could not beat Tom Tun at Thirsk. So, for the winner we return to Vortex who can go on to better things this summer.
Arakan (USA) 7-4fav Tracked leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 7f Grp 3 (A) gf in Jun beating Desert Destiny by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Horeion Directa (GER) won at Milan 7f Grp 3 hvy in Oct beating Arc Bleu by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Mac Love 14-1 Pulled hard, restrained in rear, good headway in centre course 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden clear, won at Goodwood 7f Grp 3 (A1) gd in Sept beating Vanderlin by 2l, 11 ran.
Dandoun 50-1 Prominent, ridden 3f out, soon struggling, 12th of 13, 29l behind Night Air at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-105 (B1) pol in Mar.
Millennium Force 10-3 Towards rear, driven along halfway, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Tom Tun at Thirsk 6f stk sft.
Indian Steppes (FR) 50-1 Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 6th of 17, 2 1/2l behind Jedburgh at Newmarket 7f hcp gf.
Vortex 3-1co-fav Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, chased leader 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, pushed out, won at Lingfield 7f stk pol beating Psychiatrist by 1l, 6 ran.