pushed along to lead to lead after 1f, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened 2f out, tailed off
led 1f, tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, headway to lead over 2f out, clear over 1f out, eased final furlong, comfortable
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f out, no impression
in touch in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, hung left over 1f out, kept on same pace
in touch towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders
Croquembouche was well beaten on his reappearance but this represents a drop in grade and he won over course and distance last year off a 2lb higher mark. Azam was only beaten half-a-length at Nottingham last time but has been racing over further and the amount of headgear he sports is increasing. It was good to soft when New Society won at Catterick last month and he is 5lb higher. ALFRED RICHARDSON has won twice on good to firm going, including once here. His first try over 1m4f at Thirsk proved inconclusive but he’s probably worth another try to prove his stamina so gets a tentative vote.
Croquembouche (IRE) 50-1 (8-9) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened quickly, last of 14, 19 1/4l behind Count Calabash (9-2) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp (3) gf in May.
Azam 5-1 (9-11) With leader, every chance over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Tristram (8-10) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (5) gf in May.
New Society (IRE) 5-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon 2 lengths clear, ridden and ran on, won at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (5) gs in Apr beating Kings Gold (9-1) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Dalshand (FR) 10-1 (9-3) Held up in 4th, headway over 4f out, not quicken over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 13 1/2l behind Shanghai Silver (9-2) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in May.
Alfred Richardson 10-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, never able to challenge, 5th of 13, 5 1/4l behind Stonific (9-10) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp (4) gf in May.
Icefall (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Led, headed over 3f out, soon pushed along, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 15l behind Sky Eagle (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Apr.