tracked leading pair, niggled along 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and unable to get on terms over 1f out
led, ridden and headed narrowly over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead narrowly over 1f out, driven out
Sea Defence signed of last season with a maiden win at Newmarket in November. He should be winning again this year but may find BEAU NASH too good on this occasion. The latter is dropped in class after finishing second to Azagal at Doncaster last week and the Hannon colt looks up to scoring off his current mark. Lincoln never looked like catching the winner when runner-up at Beverley last month but will appreciate today's softer surface and boasts much stronger form than Regiment and Shushu Sugartown.
Sea Defence (USA) 5-4fav (9-0) Close up, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (4) sft in Nov beating Think Ahead (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Lincoln (IRE) 11-4 (8-8) Raced wide close up, headway to track winner 3f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Muteela (8-7) at Beverley 7f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr.
Regiment 3-1fav (9-4) Close up, effort on outer over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Desert Colours (8-10) at Musselburgh 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Beau Nash (IRE) 6-1 (9-1) Prominent, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Azagal (9-5) at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gs.
Shushu Sugartown (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked winner 2f, prominent on inside, disputing well held 2nd when pushed left inside final furlong, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Little Shambles (9-0) at Catterick 7f mdn fll stks (5) gd in Apr.