tracked leader, led inside final 3f, drew clear inside final 2f, stayed on strongly and driven right out
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, eased when no chance final 2f, tailed off
ridden and headed inside final 3f, no chance with winner when lost 2nd 1f out, weakened
raced wide towards rear, hampered 3f out, never in contention after
raced wide in mid-division, driven along 3f out, weakened 2f out
soon pushed along in rear, headway under pressure to dispute well held 3rd 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, soon in touch, driven along over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, effort to dispute well held 3rd 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind, switched right to wide outside approaching 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened 2f out
in rear, pushed along and headway on outside 3f out, ridden and hung left 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd 1f out but never any chance with winner
mid-division on inside, driven 3f out, soon weakened
ALICANTE will be a popular selection to provide Sir Mark Prescott with back-to-back successes in this race. There are a host of potential improvers in opposition and, for those who don't fancy the short price, there could be some each-way sport to be had with Freedom Fire and Twist Again. Alicante improved for the step up in trip to score readily at Hamilton and is from a smart family that the trainer knows well; it would be no surprise to see her rated considerably higher than 60 in a couple of weeks time. She should have no trouble with underfoot conditions and is the obvious starting point. Rebel Prince has claims if the ground is on the soft side having gone close in a Nottingham handicap in April whilst Cape Marien has obvious claims having impressively won a weak Windsor maiden last month. Halfway House, Hi Fling and Venture Capitalist are respected but opposable with a number of more interest. Any Given Moment's pedigree suggests that he could improve for soft ground and a longer trip, likewise Twist Again, Freedom Fire, Riptide and Khayar. The betting may guide to their chances and those of the other contenders but Alicante is likely to account for a large share of the market and is the one to beat.
Alicante 11-4 (9-5) Led for 2f, chased leaders, led again over 2f out, stayed on well, won at Hamilton 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gd beating Ballade De La Mer (8-4) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Hi Fling 10-1 (9-3) Raced wide in mid-division, headway to track leading pair 2f out, led and hung fire 1f out, in command towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun beating On Cue (8-9) by 1l, 14 ran.
Freedom Fire (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Close up, chased leader over 3f out until over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 9, 9l behind Laaheb (9-2) at Yarmouth 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gf.
Riptide 40-1 (9-3) Prominent, chased along 3f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 7, 10l behind Shemoli (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Khayar (IRE) 40-1 (8-12) Behind, driven over 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 4th of 13, 8l behind Racing Hero (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in Jun.
Venture Capitalist 3-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, driven and stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Goose Green (9-7) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) fm.
Screaming Brave 9-2 (8-13) Held up in 6th, made dash to stands side rail 3f out, soon challenging until weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 5l behind Curacao (9-5) at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) sft.
Cape Marien (IRE) 7-2 (8-9) Led until over 7f out, stayed prominent, led again well over 3f out, drew clear over 1f out, driven out comfortably, won at Windsor 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gf in Jun beating Birdinthehand (8-9) by 5l, 6 ran.
Windpfeil (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 25l behind The Last Don (9-6) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Twist Again (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Behind, driven along over 2f out, staying on same pace when not much room inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Hi Fling (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
Cooper Island Kid (USA) 28-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden 3f out, kept on, never nearer, 7th of 13, 8l behind Guga (8-12) at Southwell 1m (6) fbs.
Mymateeric 16-1 (8-12) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Love In The West (8-7) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo sll (6) gd.
Very Distinguished 20-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, always behind, 9th of 12, 8l behind Mejala (9-4) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Halfway House 11-4fav (9-3) Held up well in rear, came stands ide 3f out, headway under stand's side rail over 1f out, driven and edged left inside final furlong, led final strides, won at Brighton 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) fm in Jun beating Vita Mia (8-13) by nk, 9 ran.
Any Given Moment (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Held up, pushed along 3f out, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 15l behind In Footlights (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo mdn (4) gf in Jun.
Rebel Prince (IRE) 7-1 (8-7) In touch, chased winner over 3f out, soon ridden and no impression, lost 2nd and weakened over 1f out, 4th of 10, 10l behind Lucky Punt (9-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (0-65) (6) fbs in Jun.
