behind, never a factor
held up, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
chased along mid-division, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
in touch, led over 3f out, driven halfway, headed over 1f out, soon beaten
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
held up, effort halfway, no impression
towards rear, soon chased along, ridden 2f out, never reached challenging position
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong (hand timed)
led, headed over 3f out, remained in touch, every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace
Desert Commander made light of a long absence from the track when making a winning return at Thirsk last month and has to be respected under similar conditions but an 11lb rise for that success looks harsh and preference is for Zowington, who gets the vote over Orientor. The last mentioned lost no caste in defeat at Newbury last time and has claims under conditions that suit but Jim Goldie's eight-year-old is more exposed than most of these and looks booked for a place at best. James Toller's Swinbrook stepped up on his reappearance run when landing a Leicester handicap last time and has claims under his new mark, while anything that David Nicholls saddles in this grade has to be considered so Trinculo, who looks the pick over Just James of his pair cannot be ruled out. The vote though goes to Zowington, who was doing all of his best work when winning over an inadequate sharp five furlongs at Epsom last month and should improve significantly over this longer trip.
Just James 40-1 (9-7) Always behind far side group, tailed off over 1f out, 24th of 27, 19l behind Presto Shinko (9-2) at Ayr 6f hcp (2) gd in Sept.
Orientor 10-1 (8-9) Held up in touch, headway 2f out, ridden and edged right from over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 4th of 13, 1 1/2l behind Green Manalishi (8-4) at Newbury 5f hcp 0-110 (2) gd in Apr.
Fromsong (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Raced alone on stands' rail, with leaders, ridden 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 2l behind Green Manalishi (8-4) at Newbury 5f hcp 0-110 (2) gd in Apr.
Cape Royal 11-2 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 14th of 15, 7l behind Merlin's Dancer (8-8) at Chester 5f hcap (2) gf.
King's Gait 20-1 (9-0) Raced centre, mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 20th of 26, 7l behind Mutamared (8-11) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gf.
Zowington 11-1 (9-1) Always prominent, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Epsom 5f hcap (3) gd in Apr beating Cape Royal (9-7) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Desperate Dan 3-1 (9-0) Chased leader until over 2f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 8l behind Fyodor (9-7) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Desert Commander (IRE) 20-1 (9-6) Held up far side, headway to lead well over 1f out, ran on final furlong, easily, won at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Apr beating Countdown (9-6) by 3l, 18 ran.
Swinbrook (USA) 7-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders, driven to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Leicester 6f hcap (4) gd in Apr beating Zidane (8-7) by 2 1/2l, 17 ran.
Trinculo (IRE) 25-1 (8-6) Behind, switched left and not clear run over 1f out, never a factor, 13th of 15, 7l behind Merlin's Dancer (8-8) at Chester 5f hcap (2) gf.
Enchantment 12-1 (8-10) With winner to halfway, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 6l behind Merlin's Dancer (8-8) at Chester 5f hcap (2) gf.
