held up, in touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, hard pressed and headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
held up in touch, headway and not clear run over 2f out, switched right, stayed on strongly to lead inside final furlong, driven out
held up, headway to chase leaders 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up behind, ridden halfway, no headway and soon weakened
prominent, ridden and every chance inside final 2f, no extra approaching final furlong
led narrowly until headed over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong
started slowly, held up and behind, not clear run over 2f out, switched right, headway over 1f out to chase leaders, no extra inside final furlong
in rear, ridden 3f out, some late headway final 2f but never dangerous
chased leaders to 2f out, weakened under pressure over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
started slowly, held up behind, under pressure over 3f out, soon beaten
held up midfield, ridden and effort over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
behind, ridden 3f out, not reached leaders
started slowly, always in rear
tracked leaders until weakened quickly 2f out
tracked leaders, weakening when stumbled over 2f out, not recover
held up towards rear, steady headway final 2f, nearest finish
A terrific renewal of this valuable handicap can go to Court Masterpiece, who just edges the verdict over Vortex, New Seeker and the improving Etterick Waters. There are a host of others that are bubbling under as viable alternatives with the lightly weighted St Andrews heading the list for those with each-way chances at decent odds. Michael Jarvis' charge ran a blinder at Sandown last time and also has solid claims judged on his run in the Buckingham Palace Stakes. However, he was done for toe on that occasion and could find a few too good over this trip. Another to mention is El Coto, for whom many will be doing a rain dance in the hope that there is some ease in the ground. However, as the weather forecast appears to have gone against him, the Brian McMahon-trained gelding may have to wait for another day. Of the rest shortlisted: Etterick Waters arrives here in search of the hat-trick having made the most of a couple of good opportunities of late. However, he will struggle to get an uncontested lead in a race like this and others make slightly more appeal. Gay Kellaway has been bullish about the chances of Vortex and has secured the services of Frankie Dettori again today. The son of Danehill got going a fraction too late at Newbury last week but ran a race packed with potential for today's contest, and the proof will be in the pudding this afternoon. Yet another to throw into the mix is course specialist New Seeker, who takes a drop in class after being found out in a Group 3 at the start of this month. This is more his level and, as Jamie Spencer comes here for just this ride and to partner Tycoon in the big-one at 4:25pm, a bold bid is anticipated. However, they may all find themselves playing for places today if Kieren Fallon can help negotiate a clear passage for Court Masterpiece as things unfold. The son of Polish Precedent had a number of these trailing in his wake when he burst through in the Bunbury Cup and there is every reason to suspect that he would have won had he been granted the room to manoeuvre a little earlier. Fallon will undoubtedly throw his all behind making sure history doesn't repeat itself and Court Masterpiece is fancied to gain just compensation this afternoon.
