chased clear leader, stayed stands side over 7f out and led trio, led and overall leader 3f out, clear over 1f out, very easy
led and soon clear, came centre over 7f out, headed 3f out, weakened and hung right over 1f out
in touch, stayed stands side over 7f out, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up last, stayed stands side over 7f out, switched centre over 6f out, hung right and weakened over 1f out
With Andrew Balding's runners coming into form right now, Albinus gets the vote to open his account for the season ahead of Imperial Stride and Compton Bolter. The selection showed improved form when chasing home Godolphin's New South Wales at Goodwood last month, form on which he holds Compton Bolter and, with further improvement anticipated, the son of Selkirk is taken to go one better. David Elsworth's Gulf lost no caste in defeat behind Wolfe Tone at Newbury last time and has to be respected, although a bigger threat is likely to come from Imperial Stride. Sir Michael Stoute's Indian Ridge colt ran out the decent winner of the Wolferton Stakes at the royal meeting last time and has claims on that evidence, although he probably needs to improve to follow up and preference is for Albinus, who is taken to give Andrew Balding another winner.
Imperial Stride 25-1 (8-11) Held up behind leaders, pushed along to lead over 2f out, clear over 1f out, driven out final furlong, won at York 1m 2f lst hcp (1) gf beating Mullins Bay (8-12) by 2l, 20 ran.
Albinus 12-1 (8-9) Settled rear, pushed along 3f out, headway from 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd from inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 1l behind New South Wales (8-9) at Goodwood 1m 4f stk (3) gd in May.
Compton Bolter (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Steadied start, held up and behind, headway on inside from 3f out, stayed on from over 1f out, nearest finish, 4th of 8, 2l behind New South Wales (8-9) at Goodwood 1m 4f stk (3) gd in May.
Gulf (IRE) 28-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, took 2nd near finish, 2nd of 9, hd behind Wolfe Tone (8-12) at Newbury 1m 5f lst stk (1) frm in May.
