took keen hold, tracked leaders, narrow lead over 1f out, driven and headed inside final furlong, not quicken final 100 yards
held up, headway on outside 2f out, driven to chase leading pair 1f out, ran on gamely under pressure to lead final 100 yards
slight lead, headed 2f out, soon weakened
went left start, chased leaders on outer, ridden halfway, soon weakened
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
pressed leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
took keen hold and held up in rear, nudged along and kept on final furlong, never reached challenging position
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
Assertive is selected to once again have the measure of Kingsgate Prince and Strike Up The Band in this Listed contest. The above trio locked horns at Lingfield 16 days ago, with Assertive coming out on top. Richard Hannon revealed afterwards that he might consider the Golden Jubilee at Royal Ascot for the son of Bold Edge who seems better suited to today's trip than his two main opponents. Kingsgate Prince, second at Lingfield, has improved out of all recognition and may be aimed at the Jersey Stakes over seven furlongs, while Strike Up The Band, third best at the Surrey venue last time, might benefit from a drop back to the minimum. Loyal Royal has more to do, and the Gosden pair, Murfreesboro and Racer Forever are perhaps best watched on their respective returns. All in all, it can pay to follow the formbook and stick with Assertive to follow up.
Strike Up The Band 7-1 (9-4) Hampered start, held up, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Assertive (9-1) at Lingfield 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd.
Assertive 13-8 (9-1) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Lingfield 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd beating Kingsgate Prince (9-1) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Sunny King (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Assertive (9-1) at Lingfield 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd.
Manston (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Came over from wide draw and led on rail after 1f, pushed along 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 5l behind Dingaan (8-5) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Grand Parrot 100-1 (9-0) Chased leaders far side to over 2f out, soon weakened, 15th of 18, 47l behind Makfly (9-0) at Doncaster 6f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Loyal Royal (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Pulled hard, led after 1f, quickened clear over 1f out, veered left inside final furlong, readily, won at Salisbury 6f mdn stk (4) frm beating Always Emirates (9-0) by 6l, 15 ran.
Murfreesboro 4-1fav (8-13) Raced stands side, with leader, led over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong to be overall leader closing stages, won at Newmarket 6f 2yo aut (2) gd in Sept beating Blades Girl (8-0) by 3/4l, 30 ran.
Mutawajid (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) With winner, ridden 2f out, every chance and hung left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 3l behind Prince of Light (8-11) at Newmarket 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Sept.
Racer Forever (USA) 7-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, not clear run approaching final furlong, ran on well towards finish, 5th of 12, 2l behind Hunter Street (8-12) at Salisbury 5f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Oct.
River Thames 100-1 (8-7) Raced stands side, always behind, 14th of 17, 8l behind Paradise Isle (8-13) at Newmarket 6f lst stk (1) gd in Apr.
