held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, soon struggling
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden early straight, weakend rapidly over 3f out
soon led, pushed along 3f out, headed inside final 2f, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, headway on rails when not clear run just inside final 2f, stayed on final furlong, stayed on to take 2nd final 50 yards, no chance with winner
tracked leader, driven along 3f out, driven along and no impression on winner over 1f out, lost 2nd final 50 yards
tracked leaders, led just inside final 2f, in command over 1f out, ridden final furlong, stayed on strongly
soon in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
raced keenly, settled towards rear, effort and hard driven 2f out, soon beaten
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, pushed along and stayed chasing leaders from 3f out, until weakened over 1f out
The vote here goes to Flamboyant Lad from a shortlist that also included Tartouche, Polygonal, Maraakeb and Turbo. The selection made a pleasing return for the season when finishing fourth behind Tartouche at Newmarket. He is three pounds better off now for two lengths with that horse, but he went down as an eyecatcher on that occasion so gets our vote this time around - if he runs, because he was pulled out of his last engagement because of the going. Bendarshaan was runner-up in the race referred to and has also to be given a chance on these revised terms but, a we say, we are going to stick with Barry Hill's runner. Turning to the others and Polygonal caught the eye at Newmarket last time after meeting some trouble in running and he can go well at this longer trip, while Maraakeb won well here two runs ago and is surely better than his lacklustre Doncaster effort last time suggested. Afford him plenty of respect, along with Turbo, who is is now back to a winning mark, while Le Tiss showed signs of a revival last time. Overall, though, we will side with Flamboyant Lad.
Polygonal (FR) 16-1 (8-10) Held up mid-division, headway when not clear run over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Notable Guest (8-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Apr.
Unavailable (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened and eased inside final furlong, 6th of 8, 4l behind Sri Diamond (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (C1) pol in Mar.
Nordwind (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 15, 12l behind Massif Centrale (9-8) at Leicester 1m 4f 3yo hcp (C1) gd in Oct.
Sergeant Cecil 8-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, eased when well beaten final furlong, 12th of 13, 27l behind Tender Falcon (8-7) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
It's The Limit (USA) 25-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, 32nd of 34, well behind Contact Dancer (8-2) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (B1) sft in Oct.
Flamboyant Lad 3-1fav (8-13) Held up, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 13, 2l behind Tartouche (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in Apr.
Highland Games (IRE) 25-1 (9-8) In rear when pulled up in race won by Escayola (9-7) at Ascot 2m hcp (C1) gf in Sept, 16 ran.
Solo Flight 16-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, held up in rear, effort 3f out, never dangerous, 6th of 13, 11l behind Tender Falcon (8-7) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Le Tiss (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 4l behind High Action (8-8) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (2) gf.
Bendarshaan 9-2fav (8-8) Prominent, joined leader over 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 10th of 13, 12l behind High Action (8-8) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (2) gf.
Tartouche 9-2 (9-2) Always prominent, led over 1f out, strongly challenged inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in Apr beating Bendarshaan (8-9) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Maraakeb (FR) 5-2fav (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 19, 6l behind Spring Jim (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (3) gs.
Turbo (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, shaken up and headway centre course over 2f out, never near leaders, 7th of 13, 11l behind Tender Falcon (8-7) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
