chased leaders, not much room over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out or inside final furlong, hampered and snatched up, no chance after
prominent, ridden 2f out, not much well inside final furlong, kept on same pace
led, headed over 1f our, kept on, not much room well inside final furlong
held up towards rear, struggling over 2f out
mid-division, edged left entering final furlong, ran on towards finish
chased leaders on outside, edged left entering final furlong, stayed on, went 2nd final 75 yards
took keen hold, prominent, led over 1f out, kept on well
chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, no danger after
always towards rear
held up towards rear, ran on final 100 yards, finished strongly
Byron's Choice returns to action 7lb higher than when rattling up a hat-trick with a victory at York last summer. Stablemate Danielsflyer, Gabrial The Devil and Aeolus have done all their winning so far over 6f while Admirality has yet to win over 7f and makes a seasonal reappearance having switched yards at the end of last year. Three Saints Bay won over today’s trip at Musselburgh last month but struggled off today’s higher mark last time but Lake Volta scored at Yarmouth before finishing in front of ABOVE THE REST (NAP) in the Victoria Cup at Ascot. The latter won a Listed race at Wolverhampton in March however and, given he also landed a handicap off a higher mark at York last season, David Barron’s charge gets the nod.
Above The Rest (IRE) 50-1 (9-5) Raced keenly, chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, weakened inside final 2f, 24th of 26, 22 1/4l behind Cape Byron (9-3) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gs in May.
Three Saints Bay (IRE) 11-4fav (9-12) Chased leading pair, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 16l behind Kimifive (8-13) at Goodwood 7f hcp (2) gd in May.
Lake Volta (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Made most, headed entering final furlong, chased leaders, weakened well inside final furlong, 10th of 26, 4 1/2l behind Cape Byron (9-3) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gs in May.
Byron's Choice 10-3fav (9-9) Always prominent, led over 1f out, driven out, won at York 7f hcp (3) gf in Jul beating Bertog (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Aeolus 11-1 (9-10) Mid-division, under pressure over 2f out, soon no impression, 9th of 13, 9 1/4l behind Sir Maximilian (9-6) at Doncaster 6f hcp (2) gd in May.
Danielsflyer (IRE) 7-2fav (9-5) Held up, never dangerous, 12th of 13, 13 1/4l behind Sir Maximilian (9-6) at Doncaster 6f hcp (2) gd in May.
Admirality 13-8fav (9-0) Raced in 4th early, soon 2nd, travelling smoothly and on terms over 2f out, soon gained narrow lead, strongly pressed from over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 11, hd behind Freescape (9-3) at Dundalk 6f hcp pol in Nov.
Gabrial The Devil (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 9th of 17, 3 1/4l behind Foolaad (9-7) at Doncaster 6f hcp (3) gf in Mar.
Breanski 6-1 (8-10) Towards centre, pushed along 3f out, never on terms, 14th of 18, 11 3/4l behind Muntadab (9-12) at Doncaster 7f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Al Erayg (IRE) 20-1 (8-3) Held up towards rear, headway and hung left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Sha La La La Lee (8-8) at Chester 1m hcp (2) sft in May.
