tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along over 2f out, soon chased leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on to lead inside final furlong, held on well
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
in touch and in rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, one pace
tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
Sparring almost fell at the start at Windsor last Monday but a slow pace enabled him to get to the front where he stayed despite being challenged all the way. He arrives here with a 6lb penalty but it will be a surprise if he doesn't make a bold bid to make all again. Vive Ma Fille beat two rivals on her debut at Lingfield then finished last of four on her handicap bow at Kempton where she couldn't quicken off a slow pace. SOUL SEARCHER (NAP) won a Kempton maiden last month and followed up a couple of weeks ago at Beverley where she was always travelling nicely. She's been raised 6lb but time may tell she is still very leniently treated. Cosmic Statesman was stepped up to 1m6f at Nottingham where he was going on at the finish and this small field may not play to his strengths.
Sparring (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Hampered and stumbled start, soon recovered tracking leading pair, quick move to lead 8f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on strongly and in command final 110 yards, won going away, won at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf beating Justice Belle (9-2) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Vive Ma Fille (GER) 2-1 (9-2) Led 1f, chased winner, pushed along over 2f out, outpaced from over 1f out, last of 4, 3 1/2l behind Process (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Soul Searcher (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) In touch, led over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Beverley 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd beating Grey's Angel (8-12) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Cosmic Statesman 2-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway 4f out, went 2nd over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong, closed on winner towards finish, always held, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Galileano (8-10) at Nottingham 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf.