dwelt in rear, some headway under pressure over 1f out, never a factor
close up, ridden 3f out, weakened 1f out
mid-division, weakened 2f out
keen held up, headway 2f out, ridden to go 3rd over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
dwelt in rear, ridden and headway 3f out, no impression final 2f
tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and ran on
towards rear, headway 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong
close up, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
close up, ridden and weakened 3f out
dwelt towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong, not reach leaders
These races are never easy to unravel and only 4lb separates this 11-strong field on official ratings. Ersaal sports cheekpieces after failing to justify favouritism on his return at Newcastle while Kempton fourth Dark Templar and Red To Amber are also tried in headgear for the first time. POOR DUKE finished more than six lengths ahead of Plenum when second to Emulating at Windsor eight days ago. That's just about the best recent form in this and Jamie Osborne's charge gets the vote ahead of the less-exposed King Bertie and Mister Marcasite.
Dark Templar 5-1 (9-7) Restless stalls, slowly away keen in rear, good headway 2f out, ridden and kept on towards finish, 4th of 11, 1l behind Clement (9-4) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
East Texas Red (IRE) 17-2 (8-9) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 10, 11l behind Llaregyb (9-5) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Ersaal 2-1fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f out until inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Grandorio (9-6) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Khelac 66-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 3f out to get in behind leaders over 2f out, ridden inside final 2f, weakened soon after, 9th of 12, 10l behind Sea Shanty (8-13) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
King Bertie (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Tracked leaders, effort on inside over 1f out, ridden and unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Intrigo (9-5) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Apr.
Mandy's Boy (IRE) 9-1 (9-5) In rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on, never near leaders, 8th of 13, 7l behind Danat Al Atheer (9-5) at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Mister Marcasite 6-1 (8-13) Took keen hold, chased leaders on outside, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 17l behind Aryal (9-1) at Beverley 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr.
Plenum (GER) 7-2 (9-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, moderate headway and not clearest of runs inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 8l behind Emulating (9-3) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Poor Duke (IRE) 7-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind Emulating (9-3) at Windsor 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Red Eight (USA) 12-1 (9-7) Led, headed 3f out, no impression and well held from over 1f out, 7th of 8, 13l behind Corn Snow (9-7) at Redcar 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Red To Amber (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Held up in mid-division, pushed along halfway, headway to get in behind leaders 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 6l behind King Of The Danes (8-7) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf.