held up towards rear, headway approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on strongly to lead final strides
keen led, ridden and headed entering final 2f, faded inside final furlong
close up, pushed along halfway, ridden and weakened approaching final furlong
dwelt soon recovered to track leaders, led entering final 2f, soon ridden, headed final strides
led to post early, held up, headway approaching 2f out, faded inside final furlong
close up, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
pressed leader, ridden halfway, kept on same pace final furlong
towards rear, ridden halfway, never a factor
keen close up, headway to press leader 2f out, weakened final furlong
close up 3f
in rear, pushed along 2f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, not reach leaders
It’s been 10 years since a three-year-old last won this and Sergei Prokofiev has no easy task despite the weight concession. The Ballydoyle sprinter won last season’s Cornwallis over course and distance but MABS CROSS landed last year’s renewal beating Judicial by a neck with Encore d'Or and Ornate further behind. Michael Dods’ mare ended the year with success in the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbeye at Longchamp and gets the vote to make a winning return with further improvement expected this season. Judicial should go well again on better terms with the selection this time around while the tough El Astronaute finished ahead of Tarboosh when going close in a conditions race at Musselburgh last month and can also figure. Queen Of Desire continued her good progress with a Listed success at Bath on her reappearance and is preferred to Equilateral and Major Jumbo.
Mabs Cross (9-7) won at Longchamp 5f Grp 1 gs in Oct beating Gold Vibe (9-10) by hd, 16 ran.
El Astronaute (IRE) 7-4fav (9-6) Went right start, raced on rail chasing leader, led inside final 2f, strongly pressed and hung right final 100 yards, headed post, 2nd of 8, hd behind Tanasoq (9-2) at Musselburgh 5f stks (2) gf in Apr.
Encore d'Or 33-1 (9-5) Went right and slowly into stride, held up towards rear, not clear run over 1f out, some progress final furlong, never involved, 6th of 11, 9 1/4l behind Kachy (9-5) at Lingfield 6f stks (2) pol in Apr.
Equilateral 5-1 (9-7) Keen tracked leaders, switched left 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Keystroke (9-7) at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Apr.
Judicial (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, modest 5th final furlong, never on terms, 5th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Mr Lupton (9-1) at Newbury 5f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Sep.
Major Jumbo 15-2 (9-8) Led, strongly challenged over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Invincible Army (9-8) at Doncaster 6f lst stks (1) gd in Mar.
Ornate 10-1 (9-7) Led after 1f, ridden over 1f out, held on, all out, won at Newmarket 5f hcp (3) gf in Apr beating Roman River (9-1) by hd, 11 ran.
Sir Thomas Gresham (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Pressed leader, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Keystroke (9-7) at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Apr.
Tarboosh 5-2 (9-2) Raced keenly, chased clear leading pair, closed and went 2nd over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Tanasoq (9-2) at Musselburgh 5f stks (2) gf in Apr.
Queen Of Desire (IRE) 11-4fav (9-2) Chased leaders on inside, headway and switched right halfway, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Bath 5f lst fll stks (1) gf in Apr beating Gold Filigree (9-2) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Sergei Prokofiev (CAN) 15-8fav (9-0) Edged slightly right leaving stalls, waited with towards rear, headway after halfway on outer, gained narrow lead under 1f out, kept on well to just hold on at the finish, won at Navan 6f lst stks (1) gd in Mar beating Chessman (9-7) by hd, 15 ran.
