raced in 3rd, pushed along halfway, lost 3rd over 3f out, weakened 3f out, tailed off
tracked leader, pushed along and lost 2nd over 2f out, soon ridden and no extra in 3rd, weakened into 4th inside final furlong
led and soon raced keenly, ridden and strongly pressed inside final furlong, headed and no extra towards finish
steadied start, bit keen and held up in last pair, smooth headway into 3rd over 3f out, went 2nd over 2f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, stayed on to lead towards finish
held up in rear, pushed along 4f out, ridden in 4th entering final 2f, plugged on in modest 3rd inside final furlong
None of the quintet sparkled last time to say the least but Splendent is the least exposed of the field and made a perfectly satisfactory return to action at Haydock last month when sixth of 13. He was possibly unlucky not to have finished closer and is fairly treated on the best of his form. However, BUCEPHALUS has a useful win on the board this season under today's promising apprentice and it was no surprise to see him struggle upped to Class 2 level at Newmarket latest. He's back to Class 4 level now and should give a good account with Rose Dawes value for her claim. Noble Masquerade has disappointed on his last five outings but is down to a good mark as a result and Buick is booked. Hy Brasil and Downsman are hard to make a case for at present.
Hy Brasil (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, 3rd halfway, 4th and pushed along approaching straight, no extra from 1 1/2f out, weakened, last of 7, 9 3/4l behind Pista (9-2) at Leopardstown 1m 6f lst stks (1) gd in Aug.
Noble Masquerade 33-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along 3f out, never on terms, 7th of 11, 11 3/4l behind Torcello (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Bucephalus (GER) 5-1 (8-4) Tracked leader centre, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 13, 12 1/4l behind Bopedro (9-6) at Newmarket 1m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Splendent (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Mid-division, ridden and switched right over 2f out, not clear run entering final furlong, never dangerous, 6th of 13, 5l behind Eeetee (9-7) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Downsman (IRE) 16-1 (11-13) Always towards rear, pulled up after 5 out, at Plumpton 2m 2f hcp (5) sft in Apr.