slow into stride, in rear, edged right and kept on final furlong, never nearer
in rear, not clear run from 2f out, switched left inside final furlong, kept on
in rear on stand side, pushed along 2f out, switched left inside final furlong, never able to challenge
held up, ridden 2f out, hung right final furlong, never a factor
pushed along towards rear, headway 2f out, soon every chance, weakened inside final furlong
close up on outer, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, gradually came towards stand side, ridden and headed over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quickened
chased leaders over 3f
prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon headed, kept on one pace
in touch, ridden over 1f out, not pace to challenge
dwelt gradually came to stands side rail, tracked leaders halfway, led approaching 1f out, ridden and ran on
dwelt switched left after 1f, toward rear, never a factor
went very freely to start, in rear, switched left approaching final furlong, ran on, not reached leaders
close up, ridden halfway, weakened 1f out
prominent on outer, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace
prominent, ridden halfway, weakened 1f out
in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
Johannes won this last year from exactly the same mark and though unsuccessful subsequently will have been primed for this and ran very well at Newmarket last time. FITZ FLYER has only won once, on Polytrack in December 2009, but he's always competed at a high level on turf and looks well enough handicapped to double his tally here. Ancient Cross is very consistent and that has counted against him as his strike-rate of 2-34 in no way reflects his ability and he should get competitive. Falasteen missed the break at Chester last week after scoring at Epsom and though 7lb higher he should be there at the finish along with stablemate Courageous, runner-up in the Bronze Cup at Ayr in September and better for last month's Newbury run. Hazelrigg was in very good form last year though has suffered in the weights as a consequence but Blue Jack can usually be relied on in this kind of grade and isn't out of this despite his big weight.
Blue Jack 9-2fav (9-7) Hampered start, towards rear, ridden and headway on inner over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, no impression, 7th of 13, 7l behind Doctor Parkes (8-5) at Chester 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Barney McGrew (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Raced center never better than mid-division, 20th of 24, 13l behind Pastoral Player (9-1) at Newmarket 6f hcp (2) gf.
Johannes (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Raced center, held up, headway and not clear run over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 8th of 24, 4 1/2l behind Pastoral Player (9-1) at Newmarket 6f hcp (2) gf.
Swiss Franc 14-1 (9-3) Dwelt, soon short of room and outpaced, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 10th of 16, 7l behind Johannes (9-3) at York 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May '10.
Befortyfour 6-1 (8-9) Steadied start, held up in touch, driven and weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Nota Bene (8-9) at Newmarket 5f cond Stakes (3) sft in Jul '09.
Fitz Flyer (IRE) 18-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, hampered after 1f, headway over 1f out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Hamish McGonagall (8-12) at Musselburgh 5f cond Stakes (2) gs in Apr.
Falasteen (IRE) 9-2fav (8-8) Went right start, towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on, no impression, 6th of 13, 5l behind Doctor Parkes (8-5) at Chester 5f hcp 0-105 (2) gf.
Courageous (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, weakened halfway, 11th of 12, 26l behind Noble Storm (9-7) at Newbury 5f hcp (2) gf in Apr.
Judge 'n Jury 9-1 (9-6) Went right start, chased leaders over 3f, 8th of 11, 13l behind Humidor (8-13) at Goodwood 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr.
Secret Millionaire (IRE) 9-2fav (9-4) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along halfway, chased leader and edged left over 1f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, headed final 110 yards, weakened towards finish, 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind Piscean (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Oct.
Ancient Cross 12-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Joseph Henry (9-2) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Apr.
Hazelrigg (IRE) 9-2fav (8-9) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 14th of 15, 6l behind Thats A Fret (8-7) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct.
Racy 13-8fav (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, edged left over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 6l behind Russian Rock (9-1) at Newmarket 5f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Foxy Music 9-1 (9-0) Led narrowly, headed 2f out, soon ridden and hung left, weakened final furlong, 13th of 16, 8l behind Cheveton (8-13) at Haydock 5f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Sep.
Duchess Dora (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 9th of 17, 6l behind Breathless Kiss (9-2) at Beverley 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr.
Skylla 15-2 (9-0) In touch on rail, pushed along 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 14, 8l behind Falasteen (8-13) at Epsom Downs 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Apr.
Solar Spirit (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Awkward leaving stalls, pulled hard and always behind, 12th of 14, 12l behind Imperial Djay (9-5) at Chester 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Tabaret 14-1 (9-1) Raced centre, with leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 10l behind Enderby Spirit (9-7) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Apr.
Desert Phantom (USA) 10-1 (9-7) Raced on wide outside, off the pace towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, not pace to reach leaders, 5th of 11, 5l behind Humidor (8-13) at Goodwood 5f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Apr.
