held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong
switched right soon after start, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead close home, comfortably
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened approaching final furlong
hampered start, in rear, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden halfway, never troubled leaders
led, headed halfway, still every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
broke well, soon lost place, ridden and ran on final furlong
went right start, held up, never troubled leaders
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
with leader, led halfway, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and ran on final furlong, nearest finish
fly jumped start, in rear, switched right halfway, ridden and headway over 1f out, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed close home
went left start, held up, ridden and weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
It's a little surprising that there has been only one winning favourite of this popular event in the last ten years but Monsieur Chevalier could strike back for the market leaders. Reignier, Above Limits and Here Now And Why are other leading candidates whilst Shamandar has been well written up since making a winning debut at Ripon but it may be worth taking an each-way chance on ITSTHURSDAYALREADY. Monsieur Chevalier has already won a Listed race and would have gone close in the Norfolk but for meeting serious interference. Despite that he still finished in front of Here Now And Why and Star Rover and it's reasonable to expect him to reverse the form with Reignier who has since disappointed at Newmarket. Richard Hannon's record in these races is well documented although history tells us that it's folly to rule out any of his runners. Monsieur Chevalier sets a clear standard but will be priced accordingly and the Norfolk form has taken a few knocks so it could pay to look elsewhere for an each-way alternative. Above Limits is probably a little short for those purposes but she has a good profile having finished in midfield in the Albany. She didn't enjoy the run of the race as she raced alone on the unfavoured far side for much of the way and she should enjoy dropping back to the minimum. Fillies have a decent record in this race and the fairer sex have another candidate in Shamandar who was reasonably well backed ahead of a winning debut at Ripon. She showed plenty of speed but the drop back in trip could find her out as may her inexperience. Itsthursdayalready has plenty to find on the bare form having finished well back in the Windsor Castle where he weakened some way out having tried to chase the strong pace set by Strike The Tiger. However, there was plenty to like about the way that he beat Reddy To Star at Chester despite being hampered at the start and relegated to the rear of the field. This race is likely to be run at a fierce clip which should bring his undoubted stamina into play whilst his draw in eight should give Chris Catlin a few in-running options and see the pair reward each-way support.
Red Avalanche (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) With leaders on outside, ridden over 1f out, still every chance entering final furlong, no extra when drifted rght towards finish, 4th of 5, 3l behind Roodle (8-7) at Chepstow 5f 2yo nov stk (4) gd.
Monsieur Chevalier (IRE) 6-4fav (9-1) Edging right throughout, chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden to challenge when badly hampered and knocked sideways well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, not recover, 5th of 11, 6l behind Radiohead (9-1) at Royal Ascot 5f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Strike Shot 7-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Sir Parky (9-5) at Chepstow 6f 2yo nov stk (4) gd in Jun.
Desert Auction (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Steadied start, held up in rear, hard driven and headway over 1f out, soon ridden to challenge, stayed on well, 4th of 9, 1l behind Soul Heaven (8-8) at Ascot 6f 2yo hcp (4) gf.
Palisades Park 9-4 (9-2) Pressed leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 5, 10l behind Roodle (8-7) at Chepstow 5f 2yo nov stk (4) gd.
Star Rover (IRE) 28-1 (9-1) Pressed leader, pushed along halfway, weakened final 1f, 7th of 11, 9l behind Radiohead (9-1) at Royal Ascot 5f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Archers Road (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Totally Invincible (8-9) at Chester 5f 2yo stks (2) gf.
Itsthursdayalready 16-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, effort 2f out, soon ridden, weakened quickly over 1f out, 16th of 22, 10l behind Strike The Tiger (9-3) at Royal Ascot 5f 2yo lst stk (1) gf in Jun.
Kirsty's Boy (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) Chased winner, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 10l behind Orpen Grey (8-8) at Salisbury 6f 2yo aut (2) gd in Jun.
Leleyf (IRE) 13-2 (9-4) Raced wide, chased leaders, hampered and lost place over 4f out, headway to chase leaders again over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 11l behind Transfixed (8-0) at Chester 6f 2yo hcp (4) gf.
Reddy To Star (IRE) 4-5fav (8-13) Chased winner, led narrowly over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Mdawee (8-13) at Warwick 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jun.
Eternal Instinct 9-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, led entering final furlong, soon ridden, kept on well, won at Musselburgh 5f 2yo hcp (4) gs beating Vilnius (8-7) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Existentialist 3-1fav (8-12) Went left and bumped start, raced keenly in rear, headway 2f out, chased winner and effort over 1f out, not quite pace to challenge, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Lady Darshaan (8-9) at Windsor 5f 2yo fll stks (2) gf in Jun.
Here Now And Why (IRE) 18-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened rapidly over 1f out, last of 11, 21l behind Radiohead (9-1) at Royal Ascot 5f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jun.
Above Limits (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Led centre and main leader to over 2f out, kept on well but not pace of stands' side group over 1f out, 6th of 22, 7l behind Habaayib (8-12) at Royal Ascot 6f 2yo fll Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Chocolate Cookie (IRE) 33-1 (8-4) Behind, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, went 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Dick Turpin (9-4) at Salisbury 6f nov med aut stk (5) gd.
Shamandar (FR) 9-2 (8-4) Made all, stayed on well final furlong, won at Ripon 6f 2yo fll mdn aut (5) gd beating Farmers Wish (8-4) by 4l, 11 ran.
Social Grace 11-8fav (8-4) Made all, ridden when faltered at two path crossings over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, driven out, won at Chester 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf beating She's Ok (8-1) by nk, 6 ran.
French Connexion (IRE) 50-1 (7-13) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 10, 11l behind Orpen Grey (8-8) at Salisbury 6f 2yo aut (2) gd in Jun.
Reach For The Sky (IRE) 16-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, quickened up to lead final 100 yards, soon clear, won at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in May beating Pullyourfingerout (8-12) by 1l, 10 ran.
Blushing (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Pressed winner, ridden 2f out, lost 2nd, weakened 1f out, 4th of 9, 6l behind Full Mandate (9-0) at Newbury 6f 2yo stks (4) gf.
Reignier 16-1 (8-12) Close up, ridden to chase leader 2f out, edged left and one pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 8l behind Arcano (8-12) at Newmarket 6f (1) gd.
Val C 7-2 (8-12) Took keen hold, raced on outer, hung left throughout, prominent, chased winner 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 6, 1l behind Nepotism (9-3) at Lingfield 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Schoolboy Champ 33-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leader well over 1f out, edged right and led just inisde final furlong, pushed out, ran on well, won at Haydock 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in Jun beating Mal And Dave (8-12) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Mosa Mine 13-2 (8-6) In touch, ridden over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 5l behind Breathless Kiss (8-6) at Doncaster 5f 2yo nov fll (4) gs.