raced keenly, tracked leaders in 4th, weakened over 2f out, behind and eased final furlong
led, steadied tempo approaching halfway, quickened over 3f out, joined over 1f out, narrowly headed inside final furlong, rallied, always just held
took keen hold, soon disputing close 2nd until pushed along 3f out, weakened chased leading pair until inside final 2f, weakened final furlong
restless in stalls and slowly into stride, raced keenly, held up in last pair, headway over 2f out, went 3rd inside final 2f, no chance with leading duo
switched left start, pulled hard, held up disputing 4th, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon outpaced, kept on again into 4th towards finish
held up in rear, headway towards far side of group over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
NonRunner
HAMADA (NAP) hadn't raced since scoring easily at Pontefract in October 2016 before reappearing last month to land a handicap at Wolverhampton. He's up 5lb but entitled to have come on for the run and is still probably well handicapped. New Children has an almost identical profile though his victory at Wolverhampton was over the extended 1m1f and he's taking a step up in trip. Banksea, a stable companion of the selection, had a lucrative trip to Dubai over the winter despite not winning. He won the Spring Cup at Newbury on his reappearance last April, though that was over a mile. Island Brave was in tremendous form on the all-weather over the winter winning five times, the latest in the stewards' room, and there's no reason why he shouldn't transfer that improvement to Turf. Crowned Eagle ran in the Derby and generally performed at a high level last term before making all at Kempton in March when Tuff Rock was a length behind. Contango won his opening three races last summer and though prospective punters will need to forgive a poor reappearance not every horse is suited to Epsom. Grandee failed to stay in the Chester Cup after a very good run on softer going than this at Ripon.
Banksea 7-2 (9-5) 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Kidmenever (9-6) at Meydan 1m 2f hcp gd in Mar.
Crowned Eagle 6-1 (9-1) Led after 1f, made rest, ridden over 1f out, ran on gamely, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (2) pol in Mar beating Kelly's Dino (8-2) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Island Brave (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, hard pressed, kept on and headed close home (awarded race), 2nd of 14, shd behind Eye of The Storm (8-8) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Contango (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Tracked leader after 1f, pushed along over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f, 8th of 10, 7 1/4l behind Ajman King (8-12) at Epsom 1m 2f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Hamada 10-11fav (9-4) Tracked leader, shaken up over 1f out, led inside final furlong, readily, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Apr beating Be Perfect (8-7) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Now Children (IRE) 11-8fav (9-9) Went left start, prominent, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, held on towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Tha'ir (9-1) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Tuff Rock (USA) 7-2fav (9-5) Close up, tracked leader 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right and headed final strides, 2nd of 16, nk behind Starplex (8-11) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Grandee (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Tracked leader for 1f, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened quickly over 2f out, 14th of 16, 37 1/2l behind Magic Circle (9-3) at Chester 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in May.
