off the pace in last pair, pushed along 4f out, ridden and struggling in 6th over 3f out, never a factor
off the pace in last trio, never involved
slowly into stride, never travelled and well off the pace in rear, ran very wide home turn, finally picked up out wide over 2f out, stayed on into 2nd inside final furlong and closed, not reach winner
held up tracking leaders in 5th, pushed along over 3f out, plugged on into modest 3rd final strides
chased leader until inside final 3f, weakened quickly
led until 2f out, soon ridden, no chance with winner when lost 2nd inside final furlong, dropped to 4th final strides
dwelt, soon chasing leaders, went 2nd inside final 3f, led going well 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, held on
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, 5th and no impression final 2f
Alice Haynes has another solid chance with Smart Connection, who reappears just eight days after a good run in the soft at Ayr. He should get involved but does face different conditions now and has yet to prove himself on quick ground on Turf. DISTINCTION (NAP) is only 1-27 under Rules but he'll handle conditions and is running well this year. He was beaten under three lengths last time when arguably unlucky. Rum Runner hasn't won since 2020 but has an each-way shout and El Jad, relatively lightly-raced, is respected down to a mark 61.
Markazi (FR) 12-1 (9-9) Towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 9 1/2l behind Royal Regent (9-3) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (6) sft in May.
Afkaar (USA) 50-1 (9-2) Soon chasing leader, lost 2nd over 5f out, weakened from over 3f out, last of 9, dist behind Grand Scheme (9-9) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (5) gd in May.
Smart Connection (IRE) 16-5fav (9-8) In touch, headway 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Royal Regent (9-3) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (6) sft in May.
Distinction (IRE) 3-1jfav (8-13) Chased leaders, not clear run on inside and lost place from over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, headway and switched left inside final furlong, unable to get on terms, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Al Qaasim (9-4) at Pontefract 1m hcp (5) gs in Apr.
El Jad (IRE) 11-1 (8-13) Prominent, driven over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Najeeba (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Rum Runner 5-1 (9-1) In touch, pushed along 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 3 3/4l behind Tamaska (9-7) at Wetherby 7f hcp (5) gf in May.
Little Ted 7-1 (9-2) Chased leaders out wide, pushed along 3f out, weakened soon after, tailed off, 7th of 8, 28 1/4l behind Billy Roberts (9-4) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp (5) gd in May.
Seven For A Pound (USA) 28-1 (8-5) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 7, 11 1/2l behind Goodwood Glen (9-10) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp (6) gd in Apr.
