Just a small field again for the day’s feature but this is still competitive. Mercian Prince is having a first run since November but has been waiting for the better ground. Rose Sea Has goes for the hat-trick raised another 7lb and Ballinsker is also on a three-timer, though this is a big step up in class. Annual Invictus won here in the autumn but things probably haven’t quite gone to plan since. GOLDEN BOY GREY was once thought best on soft going but he’s handled good ground well enough in his last two starts and was value for more than his winning margin last time at Ascot.
Annual Invictus (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Prominent, pressed leader 4th, upsides 5th, led 9th, headed narrowly 15th, ridden after 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 3rd of 6, 20l behind Does He Know (11-3) at Ascot 3m (1) sft in Feb.
Golden Boy Grey (FR) 11-4 (11-1) In rear, in touch, going ok when hampered on bend after 3 out, dropped to last but in touch, pushed along and headway before 2 out, went 3rd 2 out, led approaching last, ridden and stayed on well, won at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Mar beating Thyme White (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Mercian Prince (IRE) 5-2fav (12-2) Led 2nd, clear with two others until reduced lead 4th, ridden and joined 3 out, soon headed and weakened, 4th of 6, 32 3/4l behind Gortroe Joe (11-9) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Rose Sea Has (FR) Evensfav (11-12) Made all, increased tempo 4 out, well clear last, kept up to work run-in, won at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Crack Du Ninian (11-12) by 6 1/2l, 5 ran.
Ballinsker (IRE) 6-4fav (12-0) Prominent, jumped well, pressed leader after 5 out, led before 4 out, shaken up and in command before 2 out, ran on well, comfortably, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Discko Des Plages (11-5) by 12l, 6 ran.
