held up, headway, short of room well over 1f out, ridden, stayed on final furlong
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up, ridden, headway approaching final furlong, not reach leaders
pulled hard, close up, hung right over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, weakened, eased final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leader, ridden, led over 2f out, edged left, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden, led briefly over 1f out, kept on same pace
keen, chased leaders 7f
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
held up, headway 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace
held up, switched right, headway over 1f out, kept on one pace
led, headed over 7f out, remained handy, ridden over 3f out, hampered when weakening over 1f out
led over 7f out, headed over 2f out, ridden, edged left over 1f out, soon weakened
A chance is taken on the fitness of Courageous Duke, who goes well fresh and just edges preference over Desert Quest and old rival Polygonal, who is respected but is yet to live up to expectations this season. Spring Jim holds the likes of Tornimoor and Maraakeb from last time out and is sure to be a popular choice on that form alone. The James Fanshawe-trained gelding is still open to improvement and will make this a good test if he handles the 4lb rise in the weights acquired after his Doncaster success. Ofaraby is another to note in the betting, as he is expected to strip fitter after his reappearance from last month. Any rain will help his cause and he cannot confidently be ruled out. Polygonal is better suited to ten furlongs these days and should handle the course. However, it might be noteworthy that Jamie Spencer prefers to ride Desert Quest this time and he may have to wait for another day. Conversely Desert Quest has the ability to win a race of this nature but his stable have been struggling for winners of late. Therefore, we prefer to go with Courageous Duke, who has held his own in contests like this over the last couple of seasons. A dual course and distance winner, Courageous Duke knows his way around here extremely well and he is fancied to pick where he left off last season now that Jeremy Noseda has him ready to race.
Courageous Duke (USA) 8-1 (9-6) In touch, effort and ridden 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on under pressure, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Destination Dubai (8-10) at Ascot 1m 2f stk (C1) gf in Sept.
Desert Quest (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, behind, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous, 10th of 18, 6l behind Spuradich (8-9) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (B1) gs in Sept.
Polygonal (FR) 11-2 (9-2) Held up in rear, pushed along 3f out, soon struggling, 8th of 10, 16l behind Flamboyant Lad (8-12) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (2) frm.
Ofaraby 25-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, shaken up over 2f out, some late headway, never nearer, 8th of 13, 11l behind Notable Guest (8-5) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (2) gf in Apr.
Torinmoor (USA) 7-1 (9-12) Held up, headway over 3f out, not much room and switched right entering final furlong, stayed on well, 3rd of 19, 1 1/2l behind Spring Jim (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (3) gs.
Turbo (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, shaken up and headway centre course over 2f out, never near leaders, 7th of 13, 11l behind Tender Falcon (8-7) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Maraakeb (FR) 5-2fav (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 19, 6l behind Spring Jim (9-4) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (3) gs.
Prince Nureyev (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, ridden 2f out, never able to challenge, 7th of 12, 26l behind Zero Tolerance (9-3) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) sft.
Solo Flight 12-1 (8-10) Raced keenly, settled towards rear, effort and hard driven 2f out, soon beaten, 9th of 10, 17l behind Flamboyant Lad (8-12) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (2) frm.
Spring Jim 8-1 (9-4) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, won at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (3) gs beating Polish Corridor (9-2) by 3/4l, 19 ran.
Top Seed (IRE) 14-1 (8-7) Behind, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression, 6th of 12, 10l behind Zero Tolerance (9-3) at York 1m 2f hcp (2) sft.
Star of Light 8-1 (8-13) Behind, effort when not clear run inside final 2f and again over 1f out, never nearer, 9th of 20, 6l behind San Antonio (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) gd.
Danehill Willy (IRE) 5-2fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along 4f out, weakened inside final 2f, 6th of 8, 7l behind Loch Quest (8-9) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Day To Remember 6-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened quickly 3f out, 12th of 13, well behind Tiger Tiger (8-7) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (2) gs.
Another Choice (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Always behind, 12th of 13, 30l behind Into The Shadows (8-7) at Chester 1m 4f hcp (4) gs.
