soon chasing leaders, ridden to challenge over 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong
tracked winner, ridden and weakened over 2f out
made all, set steady pace until quickened over 6f out, driven clear over 1f out, ran on strongly
in touch, took closer order after 3f, ridden and weakened over 5f out, eased over 3f out
in touch, headway over 4f out, effort over 2f out, stayed on under pressure, no chance with winner
Nonrunner
All of these can be given a chance of sorts but Royal Signaller missed the whole of last year having won twice in 2013. Lycidas went close at Southwell on his first start since 2012 while La Estrella attempts to break the record for wins on the all-weather but is best in plating company nowadays. But hurdles winner Yes Daddy made a winning start on the Flat with victory in a maiden at Lingfield, though The Yank is upped in class off a 6lb higher mark after rattling-up a hat-trick. VERY GOOD DAY ran well over 1m4f last time but won over track and trip earlier and gets the nod despite racing off a 3lb higher mark today.
Royal Signaller 11-4fav (9-3) Made virtually all, ridden and joined over 1f out, stayed on to assert in closing stages, won at Bath 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Sep '13 beating Chapter Five (8-11) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Very Good Day (FR) 4-1 (9-6) Led 1f, tracked leader, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, driven and stayed on to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Persepolis (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Lycidas (GER) 9-1 (9-2) Led, ridden 2f out, pressed inside final furlong, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Royal Marskell (9-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Feb.
La Estrella (USA) 4-1 (9-9) Led, pushed along halfway, headed over 4f out, tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Media Hype (8-13) at Southwell 1m 4f sell stks (6) fbs.
Yes Daddy (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) In touch, wide into straight 2f out, headway to chase leader over 1f out, driven inside final furlong, led final strides, won at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Feb beating Symphony Of Kings (9-5) by hd, 8 ran.
The Yank 4-5fav (9-10) Held up in last, headway going well when not much room 2f out, ridden to lead and edged left inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Chelmsford City 1m 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb beating Par Three (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.