in touch, ridden and lost place over 4f out, soon eased
in touch and keen, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, soon eased
towards rear, ridden and headway over 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
chased leader and keen, lost place 4f out, soon eased
mid-division, ridden and headway to go 2nd over 3f out, led 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, caught post
mid-division and keen, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
slowly away, switched left start, held up and behind, never a factor
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on final 3f
mid-division, effort over 3f out, onepaced after
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f
mid-division, headway on inner over 4f out, soon ridden, kept on gamely to lead post
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on final 2 furlongs
held up and never a factor
towards rear, headway over 3f out, stayed on final 2f
held up, ridden over 3f out, steady headway approaching final 2f
held up and keen, kept on, no impression
led, clear over 4f out, soon ridden, headed 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 2 furlong out
Sporting Gesture has been done very few favours by the draw and, from stall one, Golden Lariat is given one more chance with Tioman and Court of Appeal rated the main dangers. A low draw often proves to be a big advantage over this sort of trip on the Knavesmire so Golden Lariat could hardly be better berthed. Admittedly the son of Mr Prospector hardly covered himself in glory on his reappearance but that run at Newbury should have blown away the cobwebs and he is taken to improve Sir Michael Stoute's already impressive record in this contest. Southwell winner Tioman failed to reproduce the form back on turf at Kempton last month but his stable remains in good heart and he has to be respected with the experienced Emma Ramsden on board. However, a draw in stall 15 is hardly helpful and, with Mick Easterby's Sporting Gesture berthed in stall 16, the biggest threat to the selection may come from Court of Appeal. Brian Ellison's gelding beat Easterby's horse by only a neck at Chester last month and is 3lbs worse off at the weights today but has the advantage of a draw in stall two so should confirm the form. The game Kylkenny, the consistent three-year-old Border Tale and recent Doncaster winner Repulse Bay are others to consider but we are happy to stick with the Stoute horse, who may prove to be too classy for his rivals.