behind, switched right over 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on, never nearer
always towards rear
led early, prominent, led again 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
soon led, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened 2f out
prominent, ridden 4f out, weakening when hampered over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 4f out, ridden and switched right over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to go to 2nd well inside final furlong
always towards rear
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on
mid-division, headway over 4f out, not clear run over 2f out, soon hampered and lost place, stayed on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
always behind
mid-division, headway over 3f out, not clear run and lost place over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong
in touch, ridden when hampered and switched right over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, hung left over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
always towards rear
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden and not clear run over 2f out, one pace final furlong
A competitive line-up for this valuable event, in which we will side with Song Of Songs over Lysandra, Double Vodka and Opening Ceremony, but others can be considered. James Fanshawe has proven himself very adept at producing lightly-raced, progressive types to land valuable races, and Song Of Songs, who will like the going, has that type of profile. Mind you, as we say, it is competitive. Lightly-raced and progressive, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Lysandra has to be considered, although her ability to act on the going has to be taken on trust, while Stretton is back to a winning mark and wins in his turn. Double Vodka will love the going and is not too badly weighted, while Dance To My Tune looked to be coming to hand last time. Opening Ceremony won this race last year from slightly lower mark and his stable is in good form, while Perle d'Or could now be back to a handy mark. It is conceivable that Blonde Streak could improve for the step up in trip, while Mustajed is lightly-raced and capable, but he has yet to prove himself on the going. Finally, Nuit Sombre is well-weighted on old form and Magic Sting could bag some money, with the going not being a problem. Overall, though, the vote goes to Song Of Songs.
Ionian Spring (IRE) 9-1 (9-8) Pulled hard towards rear, headway on outer 3f out, no progress and weakened from 2f out, 13th of 15, 7l behind Evaluator (9-8) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (3) gf.
True Companion 66-1 (9-6) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and hung left final furlong, 14th of 20, 8l behind Afrad (9-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (3) gs.
Magic Sting Evensfav (9-10) Tracked leader, led over 5f out, headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Rocket Force (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f clm (5) gd.
Nuit Sombre (IRE) 10-1 (9-12) Made all, clear over 1f out, easily, won at Haydock 1m 3f hcp (5) gf beating Latif (9-7) by 4l, 8 ran.
Riley Boys (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along and switched left over 1f out, led 1f out, driven out final furlong, won at Beverley 1m hcp (4) gf beating Little Jimbob (9-5) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Mustajed 4-1 (9-2) Held up behind, headway to lead narrowly 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied well inside final furlong to lead again near finish, won at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (3) gf beating Best Be Going (9-3) by a nk, 11 ran.
Goodbye Mr Bond 5-1 (9-1) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Hadrian (8-10) at Haydock 1m hcp (3) gf.
Jazz Scene (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Held up, headway 2f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Gavroche (9-7) at York 1m 2f clm (4) gf.
Song of Songs 11-8fav (9-0) Dwelt, tracked leader, shaken up to lead over 1f out, soon in command, comfortable, won at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (3) sft beating Day To Remember (9-13) by 2l, 5 ran.
Blonde Streak (USA) 5-2fav (9-8) Chased leaders, effort inside final 2f, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 11, 3l behind All Quiet (9-0) at Windsor 1m fll hcp (4) gf.
Perle d'Or (IRE) 9-2 (9-8) Held up, always in rear, 7th of 10, 10l behind Art Eyes (8-9) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp (4) gd.
Opening Ceremony (USA) 6-1 (9-2) Led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Trew Class (9-8) at York 1m 2f fll hcp (3) gf.
Dance To My Tune 8-1 (8-12) Held up, smooth progress over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 9, 1 1/2l behind Ofaraby (10-0) at York 1m 2f hcp (3) gs.
Double Vodka (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Raced stand side, mid-division, ridden over 3f out, never trouble leaders, 10th of 19, 9l behind Kamanda Laugh (9-10) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Dispol Veleta 20-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 13, 24l behind Dark Charm (9-5) at Hamilton 1m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Stretton (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 5l behind Frontier (9-1) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (4) gf.
Silverhay 3-1fav (9-12) Close up, pushed along 4f out, effort and driven 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 8l behind Tybalt (8-5) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp (5) gs.
Astronomical (IRE) 14-1 (8-5) Prominent, every chance over 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 16, 16l behind Danehill Willy (8-1) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gs.
Lysandra (IRE) 2-1fav (9-5) In touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Interim Payment (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 2f fll hcp (4) gf.
Otago (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, going well, not clear run from over 1f out, switched left, quickened up to lead well inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (5) gf beating Willhego (9-5) by 1/2l, 20 ran.
