with leaders early, chased leaders, effort and not much room over 2f out, ridden and switched left over 1f out, soon led, kept on gamely, driven out
soon led, headed 3f out, weakened entering final furlong
held up behind, pushed along over 3f out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, pushed along and headway on outer over 2f out, every chance 1f out, kept on towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on
tracked leaders on outer, ridden and weakened over 1f out
led early, tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden over 1f out, soon headed, no extra inside final furlong
Haylaman's close second to Arabian Star at Lingfield was a decent effort but suggests he has a bit to find to go one better here and this is his first run on turf. Little Black Book won his maiden at South well before finishing third in a handicap at Windsor and has claims on that form, while Malthouse is a couple of pounds lower than when fourth to Dee Stakes winner Glen's Diamond at Musselburgh. Ivan Vasilevich returned from a break to win at Yarmouth but we'll take a chance on the fitness of LABORE, who improved with every run last year and showed a willing attitude to get off the mark in a nursery at Wolverhampton in November. He looks the type to win more races as a three-year-old.
Malthouse (GER) 15-2 (9-2) Tracked leader, effort well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 6, 8l behind Glen's Diamond (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Apr.
Buxfizz (USA) 50-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f outweakened entering final 2f, 8th of 9, 16l behind Chain Lightning (9-4) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Apr.
Labore 9-2 (9-5) In touch, headway entering final 2f, ridden to lead 1f out, edged left and ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) pol in Nov beating Malice Or Mischief (9-7) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Misk Khitaam (USA) 7-2 (9-0) Close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 8l behind Commended (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 3yo mdn (4) gf in Apr.
Haylaman (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, pressed winner and strong challenge inside final furlong, kept on just held near finish, 2nd of 5, shd behind Arabian Star (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo stk 0-75 (5) gf.
Ivan Vasilevich (IRE) 11-2 (8-10) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon strongly challenged, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr beating Black Pond (9-4) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Aldwick Bay (IRE) 13-2 (8-9) Held up in touch, driven and effort well over 1f out, no extra closing stages, 4th of 8, 2l behind Flag Officer (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2yo hcp (2) pol in Oct.
Little Black Book (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, led over 4f out, edged left over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, not much room on rail and switched left inside final furlong, no impression on winner when lost 2nd last stride, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Fine Threads (9-5) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.