taken to post early, made all, 3 lengths clear 4f out, edged right over 1f out, stayed on
in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression
tracked winner early, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, no impression final furlong
dwelt in touch in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
A win at Wolverhampton last month was only Top Cop's second victory in 25 starts. But he went close on the Polytrack again last time and should be thereabouts. CLEAR PRAISE has also been competing on the all-weather but won on the Turf at Lingfield last year and Jack Duern's allowance puts him back on a winning mark. He gets the nod as Blazing Knight arrives out of sorts, though the latter does have stronger past form than both Cardinal and Paradise Spectre.
Top Cop 6-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, closed over 2f out, led inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 8, hd behind Desert Strike (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f app hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Apr.
Clear Praise (USA) 8-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, switched right over 1f out, ridden and stayed on towards finish, 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Gregori (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr.
Blazing Knight (IRE) 33-1 (8-8) Raced wide close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 6, 9l behind Corporal Maddox (9-7) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Apr.
Spiraea 16-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, 13th of 15, 21l behind Generalyse (9-7) at Leicester 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Oct.
Paradise Spectre 9-2 (8-13) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway towards near side under pressure over 1f out, hung left and stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Fathsta (9-5) at Warwick 6f sell stks (6) gf in Aug.
Cardinal 25-1 (9-2) Towards rear, never a factor, 10th of 13, 10l behind Discussiontofollow (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.