John Ryan had the winner of this in 2014 and saddles Ascot runner-up Battle Of Marathon. Marco Botti won it in 2013 and will be hoping for a good run from Fanciful Angel, who won a handicap at Meydan in January. Andrew Balding saddled the 2011 and 2012 winners and relies on Here Comes When, who kept very good company last year and was third on his reappearance at Leicester. But LIGHTNING SPEAR should have the class to make a successful return to action as he was second in a Group 2 at Ascot last July and can be forgiven his run over 1m2f at the same track later.
Battle Of Marathon (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Raced centre, held up towards rear, hard ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on well, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Gm Hopkins (9-0) at Ascot 1m lst stks (1) gd in Apr.
Bossy Guest (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Keen held up in rear, ridden 2f out, never a factor, 7th of 9, 5 3/4l behind Mahsoob (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 1f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Apr.
Fanciful Angel (IRE) (9-1) Slowly away, never able to challenge, ran on same pace final 500m, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Safety Check (9-4) at Meydan 1m (1) gd in Feb.
Here Comes When (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden over 1f out, pressed for 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, no impression on winner, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Home Of The Brave (9-3) at Leicester 7f lst stks (1) gs in Apr.
Lightning Spear 50-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, eased when no chance over 1f out, never a factor, 12th of 13, 32 1/2l behind Fascinating Rock (9-5) at Ascot 1m 2f Grp 1 stks (1) gs in Oct.
