mid-division, ridden along halfway, weakened 2f out
held up, headway to chase leaders 2f out, stayed onto lead inside final furlong, driven out
soon led, headed just over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders to over 3f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, good headway over 1f out, ran on to take 3rd well inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out
tracked leader to 2f out, gradually weakened
held up in touch, led just over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong
prominent, ridden 2f out, not quicken well over 1f out and weakened
Mick Channon won this last year with Millbag and can retain the prize courtesy of Yajbill who gets the nod over Andronikos, Royal Orissa and Woodcote to name but three. Channon also had Obe Gold entered here but the fact that he relies on Yajbill despite him not having had an outing this term speaks for itself. The son of Royal applause hit a rich vein of form last autumn, winning three of his final four starts, including a battling head success over Claret And Amber in conditions company at Salisbury. The application of a visor seemed to galvanise him, and he lost no caste in defeat when trying to blaze the trail in York's Rockingham Stakes on his final outing in October. Sure to have been well galloped, he is taken to make all today. Andronikos finished fifth in the Greenham on his reappearance but will be better suited by this drop in trip, and if the selection does tire, then he can be the one to take advantage with the ground not a problem. Royal Orissa won like a good thing at Kempton in March but this is much tougher and he has it to do with The Crooked Ring anyway on earlier form. The latter in turn is held by the selection on York form, but with that in mind, Woodcote should not be overlooked entirely as he was ahead of both of them on the Knavesmire. The Clive Cox inmate was too keen on his Newmarket return, but the run will have done him good and the easier conditions will help his cause. He can reach the frame at rewarding odds, but Yajbill has plenty of scope and is taken to turn the tables, and indeed open his account for the season.
Tournedos (IRE) 9-1 Chased leaders, ridden halfway, one pace final furlong, 6th of 11, 4l behind Castelletto at Newmarket 5f 2yo Grp 3 (A1) sft in Oct.
Andronikos 9-2 Held up in rear but in touch, headway 2f out, ridden to press leaders to over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 4l behind Indesatchel at Newbury 7f 3yo Grp 3 gs.
Beckermet (IRE) 20-1 With leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace and no impression final furlong, 5th of 12, 5l behind Prince Charming at Ayr 5f 2yo lst stk (A1) sft in Sept.
Cornus 11-1 Slowly away, pulled hard, held up, stayed on, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 6l behind Kamakiri at Newmarket 7f lst hcp gf.
Dramaticus 13-2 Held up, ridden halfway, never dangerous, last of 8, 18l behind Turnkey at Leicester 6f 3yo stk sft.
Royal Orissa 9-2 Going well and held up in touch, chased leader over 1f out, led just inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp gs in Mar beating Briannsta by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
The Crooked Ring 5-1 Towards rear, soon pushed along, some late headway, never near to challenge, 4th of 9, 12l behind Tom Tun at Thirsk 6f stk sft.
Woodcote (IRE) 11-2 Pulled hard, tracked leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 7l behind Tucker at Newmarket 7f 3yo stk gf.
Yajbill (IRE) 11-4fav Set strong gallop, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra inside, 5th of 11, 5l behind Moth Ball at York 6f 2yo lst stk (A1) gd in Oct.
Siena Gold 14-1 Led, headed over 4f out, stayed prominent until weakening when hampered inside final furlong, 10th of 11, 7l behind Penkenna Princess at Newbury 7f 3yo fll Grp 3 gs.
