pushed along in rear, switched right, headway over 1f out, stayed on nearest finish
tracked leader over 6f out, remained prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, held up, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened approaching final furlong
chased leader over 6f out, led over 3f out, ridden and ran on
led, headed over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, improved halfway, ridden to chase winner 2f out, no extra final furlong
held up in rear, ridden 3f out, never nearer
Mark Johnston has done well in this contest before and looks to have a strong hand again this year with the vote going to Empire Day, who is preferred to another Johnston inmate Philanthropy and Guacamole. The selection lost no caste in defeat in a Listed race at Pontefract last time that his trainer has often used as a prep race for this contest and the hint in taken for a son of Lomitas who can only improve for the longer trip on this ground. Stablemate Philanthropy is less likely to be suited by the underfoot conditions, while Clarricien probably needs to improve to trouble the judge. Fashion Statement looks to be going the right way and she may improve for the longer trip today, while another filly Guacamole has the benefit of more experience than most of her rivals which can only help in a test of this nature for young horses. John Gosden's Cordwain is another worthy of a mention but Empire Day has solid claims and he gets the vote to give Mark Johnston another winner in this contest.
Aaim To Prosper (IRE) 15-2 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Lady Grace (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2yo hcp (3) pol.
Bed Fellow (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) With leader, ridden to challenge and veered left final furlong, rallied inside final furlong, led close home, won at Newbury 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) hvy beating Mastership (8-4) by a nk, 11 ran.
Clarricien (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (9-3) Slowly away, in rear, ridden and headway over 3f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Hamilton 1m 2yo mdn (5) gs in Sept beating Ashn Thunder (9-3) by 3l, 8 ran.
Cordwain 20-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, went right start, in rear, pushed along over 3f out, hung right over 1f out, ran on and edged left inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Shimoni (8-12) at Yarmouth 1m 2f 2yo mdn (5) sft.
Empire Day (UAE) 7-2 (9-2) Chased leader, led 2f out, headed final furlong one pace, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Sweet Lilly (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 2yo lst stk (1) gs.
One To Follow 12-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression well over 1f out, headway to lead just inside final furlong, driven out, won at Ascot 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Jul beating Big Robert (9-3) by a nk, 10 ran.
Philanthropy Evensfav (9-1) Soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, ran on to lead again while inside final furlong, won at Leicester 1m 2f 2yo stk (3) sft beating Massive (9-1) by a hd, 4 ran.
Fashion Statement 15-8jt-fav (9-0) In touch, ridden over 3f out, led 2f out, drew clear final furlong, won at Ayr 1m 2yo mdn fll (4) hvy beating Peintre's Wonder (9-0) by 8l, 7 ran.
Guacamole 10-1 (8-13) Raced centre, held up in touch, hampered 1f, headway over 2f out, led and edged left over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 9, nk behind King Charles (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 2yo hcp (2) gf in Sept.
Shimoni 20-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Yarmouth 1m 2f 2yo mdn (5) sft beating Cordwain (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
