awkwardly away, soon racing in 3rd out wide off the pace, ridden 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, closer and switched right inside final furlong, ran on to lead towards finish, won going away
wore hood to post, quickly away, good speed to lead on rail, clear 3f out, edged left off rail from 2f out, ridden over 1f out, reduced lead and hung left inside final furlong, headed and no extra towards finish
raced keenly, soon in rear, some headway out wide and plugged in modest 4th final furlong
off the pace in 4th on inside, pushed along halfway, soon weakened
off the pace in 5th, never on terms
chased leader who went clear 3f out, soon pushed along, lost 2nd inside final 2f, plugged on in 3rd
The Defiant improved for the application of a tongue-tie and notched-up a hat-trick on the all-weather before beaten off today’s mark at Lingfield. He has the beating of Doc Sportello but FIRENZE ROSA (NAP) makes most appeal. The latter returned to action with a second here last week and John Bridger’s mare was beaten only a short-head when attempting to make all in this contest last year.
Son And Sannie (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Off the pace towards rear, pushed along halfway, never on terms, 8th of 14, 5 1/2l behind Bert Kibbler (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
The Defiant 6-4fav (9-7) Wore hood to post, led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened and lost two places towards finish, 4th of 5, 2l behind Hey Ho Let's Go (9-2) at Lingfield 5f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Doc Sportello (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Off the pace in last pair on inside, pushed along and outpaced halfway, soon behind, last of 5, 7 1/2l behind Hey Ho Let's Go (9-2) at Lingfield 5f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Firenze Rosa (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Soon outpaced in rear, headway out wide edging left over 1f out, ran on in closing stages, went 2nd final strides, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind La Roca Del Fuego (9-6) at Windsor 5f hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Excellent George 40-1 (9-5) Chased leaders on inside, weakened final 2f, 8th of 12, 6l behind Cool Spirit (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Amnaa 33-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, weakened soon after, last of 12, 16 1/4l behind Vape (9-8) at Windsor 6f hcp (6) gs in Apr.