mid-division, ridden, headway 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, eased final furlong
led, ridden, headed 2f out, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, headway when short of room over 1f out, stayed on nearest finish
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, ridden, headway over 1f out, never nearer
chased leaders over 6f
held up, ridden, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
held up, plenty to do over 2f out, ridden, headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leader, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, not much room, outpaced over 1f out, ridden, kept on again inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, never dangerous
slowly into stride, in rear, not clear run, hampered 2f out, ridden, headway approaching final furlong, squeezed through, ran on strongly, gaining near finish
In what looks an ultra competitive contest what can only be a tentative vote goes to Prince Samos, who is preferred to St Andrews and Cashier. The last mentioned would have solid claims on the pick of his form but disappointed on his return and may possibly want a slightly softer surface so may be best watched. Ed Dunlop's Tabadul has rather harshly been raised 6lbs for his win on the sand at Kempton last time, while My Paris has yet to really prove his effectiveness over this far. Great Plains is lightly raced and could be of interest if fully would up for his reappearance, while Akona Matata looks to be going the right way but is likely to to find this tougher than the race that he won at Yarmouth last time. St Andrews is capable but does not win that often and preference is for Prince Samos, who has a nice racing weight and may appreciate today's faster ground.
St Andrews (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Stronghold (9-0) at Lingfield 1m lst stk (1) gd.
Royal Island (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 16, 9l behind Kandidate (9-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
My Paris 8-1 (9-7) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon outpaced, last of 3, 6l behind Majors Cast (9-7) at Haydock 7f lst stk (1) gf.
Ace of Hearts 16-1 (9-6) Chased far side leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 17th of 25, 7l behind Forgery (8-6) at Newbury 1m hcap (2) gd in Apr.
Cashier 11-4fav (9-4) Slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden and unable to quicken 2f out, 5th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Public Forum (8-11) at Sandown 1m hcap (2) gd in Apr.
Johnny Jumpup (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Prominent, 4th halfway, soon ridden, weakened over 2 1/2f out, last of 8, 37l behind Common World (9-3) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 (1) gs in Apr.
Spanish Don 16-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden, hung right over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 15l behind Notnowcato (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.
Langford 50-1 (8-7) Raced far side, behind, some headway over 2f out, soon weakened, 27th of 30, 24l behind Blue Monday (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Bravo Maestro (USA) 20-1 (9-3) Started slowly, held up behind, headway 2f out, ran on well inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 16, 2l behind Kandidate (9-10) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Star of Light 14-1 (8-7) Raced far side, broke well, soon held up mid-division, ridden halfway, soon beaten, 16th of 30, 15l behind Blue Monday (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 1f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Great Plains 5-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, held up, headway to go 2nd 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Sound Breeze (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct.
Tabadul (IRE) 11-4fav (9-3) Held up, smooth headway on bit over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, soon clear, easily, won at Kempton 1m 2f hcap (4) pol beating Desert Cristal (9-1) by 5l, 11 ran.
Akona Matata (USA) 10-1 (9-0) Held up, headway and hung left to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Yarmouth 7f hcap (3) gf in Apr beating Surwaki (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Audience 16-1 (8-7) Chased far side leader, led that group over 3f out until hung right and headed over 1f out, weakened, 13th of 25, 5l behind Forgery (8-6) at Newbury 1m hcap (2) gd in Apr.
Tanzanite (IRE) 25-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, pressed leader 2f out, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Public Forum (8-11) at Sandown 1m hcap (2) gd in Apr.
Prince Samos (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) In touch, ridden to go 2nd over 1f out, stayed on, not trouble winner, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Active Asset (8-6) at Haydock 1m 3f hcap (4) gd in Apr.
Look Again 14-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, held up in last pair, pushed along 3f out, stayed on final furlong, no danger, 6th of 10, 4l behind Public Forum (8-11) at Sandown 1m hcap (2) gd in Apr.
