held up in 6th, pushed along 5f out, outpaced over 4f out, soon struggling
held up in 7th, kept on down outside final 2f, went modest 3rd near finish
slowly into stride, held up in 8th, some headway on outside over 2f out, plugged on same pace
made all, came clear from over 2f out, stayed on strongly, eased final 100 yards
in touch in 5th, ridden and lost place over 3f out, tailed off, eased
held up in 5th until headway to press winner after 3f, ridden over 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened soon after
chased leading trio, went modest 2nd well over 1f out, no chance with winner
slowly into stride, never travelling in rear, ridden and struggling over 4f out
tracked winner 3f, stayed in 3rd, regained modest 2nd over 2f out until well over 1f out, no impression when lost 3rd near finish
Nonrunner
Sweetheart races off the same mark that saw her land this contest last year but she arrives with questions to answer this time and we prefer BRAVE BUGSY ahead of On Terms. Andrew Balding's charge was nicely on top at the line when winning at Bath last time, for which he's been handed a 5lb rise. A look through his record does show a distinct liking for that track but he's won right-handed over hurdles and we're inclined to give him the chance to show some versatility by landing this. On Terms has to be considered the chief threat ahead of Sweetheart, with Jamie Poulton's mare having struggled on the level this term despite a profitable winter over timber. In contrast On Terms has progressed rapidly having only made her debut in December, with the manner of her Goodwood win last time particularly impressive. She should have no problem with conditions and this improving filly may have got in lightly up just 3lbs for that success. Ambrose Princess won her last race on the flat back in July of 2009 and arrives here having scored over timber too, so she's clearly in great heart. Not unfairly treated off 57, she's another with claims as a horse who enjoys a quick surface and clearly stays the trip. Brad's Luck was behind our selection last time but does have a 5lb pull to help narrow the gap, however we feel he's unlikely to reverse the form and it's Brave Bugsy who gets the call.
Sweetheart 7-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, pushed along 6f out, struggling over 3f out, 9th of 15, 10l behind Ermyn Lodge (8-10) at Ascot 2m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Sir Freddie 14-1 (9-0) Prominent, went 2nd after 3f, led over 5f out until over 5f out, not really ridden until 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 4l behind Royal Diamond (8-11) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jul.
Bell Island 3-1 (9-8) Held up, headway under pressure over 1f out, hung left entering final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 6, 3l behind My Mate Max (9-11) at Warwick 1m 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in May.
On Terms (USA) 5-1fav (9-2) Slowly into stride, behind, rapid headway to lead after 3f, headed 2f out, rallied to regain lead over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Goodwood 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May beating Gaselee (9-10) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Group Leader (IRE) 5-1 (8-4) Always in rear, ridden and weakened 4f out, 5th of 6, 25l behind Bivouac (8-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Apr.
Brave Bugsy (IRE) 9-4 (9-3) Held up towards rear, led halfway, ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) fm in May beating Brad's Luck (8-11) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Ambrose Princess (IRE) 10-3 (8-13) Prominent, hard driven to challenge over 2f out, stayed on under pressure to lead inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jul beating Doubly Guest (10-0) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Spiritonthemount (USA) 9-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, raced wide in straight and outpaced well over 3f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Brave Bugsy (9-3) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) fm in May.
Brad's Luck (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, kept on final furlong, always held by winner, 2nd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Brave Bugsy (9-3) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) fm in May.
Gold Ring 16-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 7, 15l behind Timocracy (10-0) at Lingfield 1m 4f sell stks (6) pol.
Night Orbit 5-1 (9-13) Reminders soon after start, led 2f, tracked leaders after, ridden and lost place 5f out, headway on outer from 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 9l behind Benozzo Gozzoli (8-0) at Nottingham 2m hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Oct.
Whitcombe Spirit 14-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced well over 3f out, no impression final 2f, 7th of 10, 14l behind Picot de Say (8-11) at Chepstow 2m hcp 0-60 (6) gd in May.
