towards rear, headway final furlong, ridden and kept on towards finish
led, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well
mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, chased winner and no impression
with leader, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
in rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
Invincible Army beat Major Jumbo convincingly in the Cammidge at Doncaster in March and should go well again. The latter’s stablemate Hey Jonesy was beaten by Projection in the Group 3 Bengough at Ascot in October and Roger Charlton’s charge had earlier fallen victim to Limato in a Listed race at Newmarket. The latter has leading claims if at his best on his return but usually improves for a pipe-opener while Brando is another with a good chance having finished runner-up in this last year to Harry Angel. But Kevin Ryan’s charge finished just behind YAFTA (NAP) in last month’s Abernant at Newmarket when Richard Hannon’s four-year-old was beaten only a head and the latter is fancied to take a further step forward this season and go close again. George Bowen, El Astronaute and Ornate are all smart handicappers but face a tough task in this.
Limato (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Held up in touch in mid-division, headway chasing leaders over 2f out, switched right 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 9th of 14, 7 3/4l behind Sands Of Mali (9-1) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Brando 15-8fav (9-7) Held up, wide and headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, soon headed, ran on, 3rd of 8, 1/4l behind Keystroke (9-7) at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Apr.
El Astronaute (IRE) 12-1 (9-6) Keen led, ridden and headed entering final 2f, faded inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 3 1/4l behind Mabs Cross (9-10) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in May.
George Bowen (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, ran on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 3 1/4l behind Kachy (9-5) at Lingfield 6f stks (2) pol in Apr.
Hey Jonesy (IRE) 11-4 (9-2) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Dream Of Dreams (9-2) at Chelmsford City 6f stks (2) pol in Apr.
Invincible Army (IRE) 4-1 (9-8) Always prominent, led over 1f out, ran on strongly, won at Doncaster 6f lst stks (1) gd in Mar beating Major Jumbo (9-8) by 2l, 8 ran.
Major Jumbo 8-1 (9-6) Close up, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Mabs Cross (9-10) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in May.
Ornate 40-1 (9-6) Pressed leader, ridden halfway, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 3l behind Mabs Cross (9-10) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in May.
Projection 20-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, some late headway, never on terms, 6th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Sands Of Mali (9-1) at Ascot 6f Grp 1 stks (1) sft in Oct.
Yafta 7-1 (9-7) In touch, headway over 1f out, switched right and slightly hampered inside final furlong, soon every chance, ran on, 2nd of 8, hd behind Keystroke (9-7) at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 stks (1) gf in Apr.