led early far side, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
raced stands side, always towards rear
chased leaders far side, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
raced far side, slowly into stride, always behind
soon led and raced far side, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, no chance with stands side
towards rear far side, ridden halfway, one pace, no impression
towards rear far side, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, faded final furlong
led stands side, ridden 3f out, headed by stands side group over 1f out, no extra
chased leaders stands side, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders far side, ridden over 2f out, hung badly right and joined stands side group from over 1f out, one pace
chased leaders far side, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division far side, ridden over 3f out, one pace, no impression
chased leaders stands side group, ridden over 2f out, led stands side group over 1f out, stayed on
chased leaders stands side, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders far side, ridden over 2f out, faded entering final furlong
chased leaders stands side, ridden over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on
In a tricky opener, a small vote goes to Drumming Party over Doctor's Cave, Hammer Of The Gods and Blakeshall Quest. Drumming Party was unfortunate to be demoted over five furlongs here last time, Andrew Balding's one-eyed gelding having been adjudged to have leaned into Lady Algarhoud who got the race in the stewards room. If the race pans out the same, the four-year-old should make a bold bid to make amends, with the extra furlong likely to be in his favour. Doctor's Cave is hard to win with but is another that will appreciate the step up in trip. Hammer Of The Gods is a model of consistency but nearly always fins one too good, while Blakeshall Quest has a poor draw if the last meeting is anything to go by. Chantelle's Dream can go well for James Doyle and is yet another to consider, but in a race in which a pin would come in handy, we return to Drumming Party as the selection
Mina 6-1 (9-0) Raced stands side, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Misaro (9-4) at Folkestone 6f app hcp (6) gf in Apr.
Hammer of The Gods (IRE) 2-1fav (8-5) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, hampered over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Saviours Spirit (8-13) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Ektishaaf 11-2 (9-3) Held up, never near leaders, 8th of 13, 10l behind Oceancookie (9-12) at Warwick 7f fll hcp (5) gd.
Doctor's Cave 13-2 (8-9) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, took 2nd last strides, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Cashel Mead (8-7) at Kempton 5f hcap (6) pol in Apr.
Drumming Party (USA) 22-1 (8-11) In touch, hung left inside final furlong, ran on to lead last strides, finished 1st, disqualified and placed 2nd, won at Nottingham 5f hcap (6) gd beating Lady Algarhoud (8-12) by a shd. Later dsq to 2nd, 17 ran.
Kingsmaite 14-1 (8-10) Raced alone far side, joined main group in mid-division over 4f out, effort over 2f out, no impression, 10th of 12, 26l behind Waterside (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Mar.
Joy And Pain 8-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 22l behind Lord Chamberlain (9-3) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Apr.
Blakeshall Quest 33-1 (9-1) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, won at Southwell 6f clm (6) fbs in Apr beating Orchestration (9-6) by a hd, 10 ran.
