slowly into stride, towards rear, headway halfway under pressure, not reached leaders inside final furlong
in touch, ridden over 1f out, every chance until no extra close home
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden halfway, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, ridden and no impression final furlong
with leader until ridden and weakened quickly over 1f out
in rear, headway 2f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong, gamely
chased leaders, ridden and one pace final furlong
Nonrunner
The drop in trip will suit Arganil who is not to be ignored however the shortlist consists of Amour Propre, Look Busy, Total Gallery, Borderlescott and TAX FREE, and with the ground riding soft it is the last-named who is marginally preferred. Tax Free and Borderlescott were both beaten in this race last year on quick ground (Reverence a non-runner), but Tax Free can gain his revenge today. He beat Robin Bastiman's gelding on his first start this season in a Listed race at Newmarket, and then was far from disgraced in third place in the Duke Of York (Rievaulx World second). He handles this ground and is unlikely to be far away. Amour Propre has ground concerns; he looks like making up into the top sprinter in this country but he needs quicker ground than this. Masta Plasta, Reverence and Wi Dud all have big-race experience to draw on, whilst progressive individuals like the three-year-old Total Gallery cannot be underestimated with progression still likely. Look Busy is the best filly in the land over sprint trips but may find this tougher than normal up against some decent colts and geldings, so a bigger threat could be Borderlescott who may have needed his first run of the season and is high on any shortlist. This looks a very competitive renewal and the selection is Tax Free.
Arganil (USA) 20-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, weakened final furlong, 14th of 16, 9l behind Utmost Respect (9-7) at York 6f stks (1) gf.
Borderlescott 4-1fav (8-13) Chased leaders, chased winner inside final furlong, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 16, 2 3/4l behind Amour Propre (8-7) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Captain Gerrard (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 16, 9l behind Utmost Respect (9-7) at York 6f stks (1) gf.
Hogmaneigh (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Always in rear, 13th of 16, 10l behind Amour Propre (8-7) at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf.
Masta Plasta (IRE) 7-2 (9-10) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden and no extra 2f out, eased final furlong, 7th of 9, 19l behind Jumbajukiba (9-12) at Navan 6f lsted stks gd in Apr.
Reverence 14-1 (9-9) Led stand's side group, kept on under pressure inside final furlong without matching winner, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Inxile (9-12) at Naas 5f Listed stks gd in Apr.
Wi Dud 11-8fav (8-13) Chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, driven and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Biniou (8-8) at Thirsk 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Look Busy (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Held up in touch, headway to chase winner 1f out, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Lesson In Humility (9-7) at Nottingham 6f fll lst stks (1) fm.
Total Gallery (IRE) 11-2 (9-0) Took keen hold early, tracked leaders on rail, eased out to challenge on bit 2f out, led narrowly over 1f out, driven and held on gamely throughout final furlong, won at Ascot 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gf in Apr beating Enderby Spirit (8-11) by nk, 9 ran.
Tax Free (IRE) 7-2fav (9-7) Led, ridden well over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 16, 1l behind Utmost Respect (9-7) at York 6f stks (1) gf.
Amour Propre 7-1 (8-7) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on readily, won at Newmarket 5f Grp 3 (1) gf beating Hoh Hoh Hoh (8-13) by 2 1/2l, 16 ran.
Rievaulx World 4-1 (9-2) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Anglezarke (8-11) at York 5f 3yo stk (2) gd.
