tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on to lead post
held up towards rear, ridden 4f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leaders, weakened over 3f out, eased over 2f out, pulled up inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, stayed on over 1f out, one pace, no impression
led for 2f, tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, led final 100 yards, caught post
held up mid-division, stayed on from over 1f out, no impresison
held up towards rear, never dangerous
held up, never dangerous
behind, ridden and headway over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, hampered after 1f, dropped rear, headway 3f out, weakened well over 2f out
held up mid-division, effort 5f out, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
switched left after 1f, led after 2f, ridden over 2f out, headed final 100 yards, one pace
hampoered after 1f, took keen hold in touch, ridden over 3f out, hung left over 1f out, one pace
held up, headway 4f out, soon ridden, weakened well over 2f out
Top seed lines up in more form than most and can complete a hat-trick at the expense of Millville, Sporting Gesture, Self Respect and Cruise Director. The latter won the corresponding even last year off a mark of 82, and has the assistance of Kieren Fallon in his bid to repeat the feat off a 6lb higher rating. A run over hurdles at Hereford recently will have served to put him straight, and he should just about hold last year's third Lets Roll, but faces a tough rival here in Top Seed. Mick Channon's five-year-old failed to make an impact over shorter on this card last year, but since being stepped back up in trip has looked a different horse, with back-to-back successes at Bath and Goodwood. It must be remembered that he was allowed to take his chance in the Ebor off a handicap mark of 105 two years ago, and so his current rating of 86 appears lenient to say the least. A hat-trick beckons, with Millville just one of a few fancied to chase him home. Michael Jarvis sent out Peak Of Perfection to finish sixth last year, and with his stable in good form, Millville could well defy topweight to run a big race. Sporting Gesture is a regular visitor to his local track but the rain-softened ground has to be a worry, while Self Respect hails from a yard rapidly gaining a reputation on the Flat as well as over jumps. The market could well throw up a springer as well, but we are happy to side with Top Seed.
Millville 7-2fav (9-4) In touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never neare, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Sri Diamond (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Mirjan (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, short of room over 16f out, lost place halfway, headway over 3f out, stayed on, 7th of 34, 9l behind Sergeant Cecil (9-8) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
El Tiger (GER) 7-1 (8-8) Held up in touch, lost place over 4f out, last of 9, 12l behind Arturius (8-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Group Captain 13-2jt-fav (8-1) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f, 5th of 21, 17l behind Come On Jonny (8-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-110 (2) hvy in Nov.
Lets Roll 13-2 (9-6) Mid-division, chased leaders over 3f out, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 12, 8l behind Greenwich Meantime (8-11) at Ripon 2m hcap (2) gd in Apr.
Cruise Director 16-1 (9-12) Held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 16th of 17, 14l behind Indian Pipe Dream (8-13) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (3) gs in Sept.
Most Definitely (IRE) 8-1 (9-6) Held up, ridden to chase leaders over 3f out, never on terms, 6th of 12, 10l behind Greenwich Meantime (8-11) at Ripon 2m hcap (2) gd in Apr.
Seyaadi 10-3fav (8-9) Made virtually all, in command 2f out, drew 8 lengths clear approaching final furlong, eased final 75 yards, won at Epsom 1m 1f mdn stk (5) gs in Apr '05 beating Hue (9-7) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Nordwind (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Steadied start, held up, always in rear, last of 7, 9l behind Vengeance (9-3) at Epsom 1m 4f hcap (3) gd in Apr.
Top Seed (IRE) 2-1fav (9-4) Held up in rear, good headway on inside over 3f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, comfortably, won at Goodwood 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) gd beating Ocean Avenue (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Wiggy Smith 14-1 (8-8) Mid-division, chased leaders 2f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Clipperdown (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Sept.
Self Respect (USA) 5-1fav (9-0) Held up in rear, headway from 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 16, 3l behind Group Captain (8-13) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Jul.
Sporting Gesture 12-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden over 3f out, not much room 2f out, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 13l behind Stretton (8-10) at Chester 1m 4f hcap (4) gs.
Tcherina (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Held up, headway 4f out, chased leader over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 15, 9l behind Maneki Neko (8-7) at Catterick 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Apr.
Akritas 16-1 (9-11) Soon led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened rapidly over 2f out, soon tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Velvet Heights (9-2) at Kempton 2m hcap (4) pol in Apr.
Lysandra (IRE) 17-2 (10-0) Held up in rear, effort 3f out, never on terms, last of 6, 11l behind Solva (8-8) at Nottingham 1m 2f fll hcp (4) gf.
