raced in 3rd, headway to track leader travelling well over 2f out, ridden 2f out, strong challenge and driven inside final furlong, stayed on gamely to lead final strides
tracked clear leader, closed to lead inside final 4f, driven and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in 5th and off the pace, pushed along early straight, driven and stayed on to take 3rd 1f out, no chance with front pair
held up in rear, ridden and beaten 3f out
raced in 4th, headway going easily to track leader 3 out, led on bit over 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong until worn down final strides
led, pushed 5l clear over 6f out, reduced lead and headed inside final 4f, weakened quickly over 2f out
Distinction can return with a bang to beat Balkan Knight and Avalon in this Listed event. Sir Michael Stoute was toying with the idea of running Distinction in the Yorkshire Cup 24 hours earlier, but the fact that he plumps to run here under a 9lb penalty could be a tip in itself. The seven-year-old, who gained his biggest success to date in last year's Goodwood Cup on soft ground, has plenty of big race entries this year, and judged on the way that he has been striding out at home, is considered forward enough to make a winning return. Balkan Knight has improved since joining David Elsworth and is a proven stayer. He will improve for his recent return over shorter at Newmarket but might just lack the class of the selection. Avalon has been disappointing over hurdles since moving from Aidan O'Brien to Jonjo O'Neill, while Crosspeace will at least fare better over today's trip than when third in the Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown last month, but is another with plenty to find. All in all, Distinction is the class horse in the line-up, and it will be disappointing if he cannot prevail en-route to a crack at the big Cup races later this summer.
Distinction (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Mid-division, weakened 2f out, 19th of 24, 20l behind Makybe Diva (9-2) at Flemington 2m Grp 1 hcp gs in Oct.
Crosspeace (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Dwelt, soon in touch, ridden over 3f out, outpaced until stayed on inside final furlong, not quite able to challenge, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Day Flight (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Avalon 6-4fav (8-12) Chased leaders, pushed along 7f out, ridden over 5f out, outpaced final 3f, 4th of 6, 10l behind Art Eyes (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in Sept.
Bahar Shumaal (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Settled last, ridden and no real progress final 2f, 8th of 10, 9l behind Day Flight (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Balkan Knight 2-1fav (8-10) Held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 6, 11l behind Admiral's Cruise (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 4f stk (2) gd.
High Action (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden and effort over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 10, 18l behind Land 'n Stars (9-3) at Newmarket 2m lst stk (1) gd in Sept.
Land 'n Stars 8-1 (9-1) Not far off pace, ridden along 4f out, never dangerous, 5th of 10, 6l behind Punch Punch (9-3) at Nad Al Sheba 1m 4f hcp gd in Mar.
