tracked leaders, not clear run from 2f out on rail, switched right just over 1f out, carried head high, not run on
held up 4th, ridden to lead just over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish
took keen hold, tracked leader, joined leader 4f out, every chance over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened quickly over 1f out
switched left soon after start, settled towards rear, not clear run from 3f out to 2f out, stayed on when clear, ran on inside final furlong, not reach winner
started slowly, pushed along in rear, under pressure over 2f out, no headway, soon weakened
in rear, headway from 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, not trouble leaders
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
led until joined 4f out, regained lead until headed just over 1f out, no extra and weakened inside final furlong
behind, headway 3f out, effort over 2f out, soon one pace and beaten
prominent on outer, lost place and weakened from 3f out
pulled hard, held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on, ridden out
Mark Johnston won this race last year with the progressive three-year-old, Mister Monet, and I'm So Lucky is sure to give a good account here, but preference goes to last year's runner-up in this race, Courageous Duke. Jeremy Noseda's gelding hasn't won for two years but has been contesting some hot races and has shaped perfectly well in his two starts this season. He didn't get the best of runs when fourth to Solo Flight at Newmarket on his reappearance, and was noted running on nicely when sixth in the Wolferton Handicap at York. that race has worked out very well, with the winner Imperial Stride going on to record easy wins and Listed and Group 2 company, and the runner-up Mullins Bay subsequently landing the John Smiths Cup. The booking of Kieren Fallon is a positive one. I'm So Lucky was a gutsy winner at Sandown three weeks ago, but a line through the third, Spring Jim, suggests he has a little to find with the selection, and although his performance when sixth in the John Smiths Cup was an excellent effort for a three-year-old we just prefer to overlook him. Of the others, Solo Flight seems as enthusiastic as ever at the age of eight and has fair claims along with the Hunt Cup fourth, Royal Prince. Whitsbury Cross is probably better over a slightly shorter trip, and we take Courageous Duke to record a deserved victory.
Blythe Knight (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 8th of 22, 6l behind New Seeker (9-0) at York 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Royal Prince 8-1 (8-12) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 22, 3 1/2l behind New Seeker (9-0) at York 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Invasian (IRE) (8-6) Led to 3f out, soon beaten, 13th of 14, 26l behind Valentino (8-10) at Bordeaux Le Bous 1m 1f Grp 3 sft in Oct.
Courageous Duke (USA) 16-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 6th of 20, 12l behind Imperial Stride (8-11) at York 1m 2f lst hcp (1) gf in Jun.
Nashaab (USA) 25-1 (8-10) Started slowly, behind and ridden along, reminders over 3f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 17, 3l behind Another Bottle (8-12) at Newbury 1m hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Solo Flight 50-1 (8-10) Raced keenly mid-division, headway 6f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 21, 8l behind Mullins Bay (9-7) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-110 (2) gd.
Go Tech 50-1 (8-11) Always towards rear, 15th of 21, 15l behind Mullins Bay (9-7) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-110 (2) gd.
I'm So Lucky 16-1 (8-10) Tracked leader, ridden and effort 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 6th of 21, 8l behind Mullins Bay (9-7) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-110 (2) gd.
James Caird (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) In touch, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 21, 6l behind Mullins Bay (9-7) at York 1m 2f hcp 0-110 (2) gd.
Whitsbury Cross 7-2fav (9-6) Soon led, headed narrowly over 4f out, led again over 2f out, soon under pressure and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 15, 4l behind Evaluator (9-8) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (3) gf.
Star of Light 11-1 (9-5) Raced far side, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 19, 6l behind Kamanda Laugh (9-10) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
