chased winner until 1f out, ridden and soon weakened
behind, pushed along halfway, some headway approaching final furlong, never nearer
close up, ridden halfway, weakened 1f out
made all, clear over 1f out, unchallenged
held up, not handle bend into straight 2f out, headway to chase winner 1f out, lost 2nd close home
close up, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace
in rear, soon pushed alogn, never a factor
in rear, ridden halfway, headway when hung left approaching 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd close home
A competitive opener and from a shortlist of Lord Of The Reins, New York Oscar and Almaty Express, we will side with Lord Of The Reins. The selection arrives here in great form and he is the only course and distance winner in the field. He lost no caste in defeat at Goodwood last time when he was only narrowly beaten by Safari Mischief, and if he can reproduce that effort here then he would be tough to beat. New York Oscar hasn't quite been at his best this year, but he wasn't disgraced over this course and distance last time and he might have even won had he been granted a clear run through. He found trouble that day but he showed enough to suggest that his turn would not be far away. Almaty Express has certainly got the ability to get competitive here but it is worth noting that nine of his 10 wins have come at Wolverhampton and he usually resereves his best for that venue. Ice Planet has yet to hit top gear this season, and we will stick with Lord Of The Reins as the choice.
Silver Prelude 9-1 (9-0) Disputed lead to 2f out, not quicken and weakened final furlong, last of 8, 8l behind Zowington (8-13) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Ice Planet 9-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, some headway over 1f out, no impression, 8th of 14, 7l behind Geojimali (8-5) at Doncaster 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Diane's Choice 25-1 (8-4) Held up, always in rear, 9th of 10, 5l behind Ebraam (8-8) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Almaty Express 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden along halfway, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 7l behind Garlogs (8-4) at Southwell 5f hcap (4) fbs.
Lord of The Reins (IRE) 7-1 (8-1) Held up, intouch on outer, headway 2f out, hard ridden to chase winner final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Safari Mischief (8-5) at Goodwood 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Hammer of The Gods (IRE) 15-2 (8-11) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 14, 8l behind Imperial Sword (8-9) at Warwick 6f app hcp (6) gs.
New York Oscar (IRE) 4-1 (8-10) Went right start, soon chased leaders, not clear run from over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Lord of The Reins (8-4) at Great Leighs 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Russian Symphony (USA) 9-1 (9-1) Led, headed well over 1f out, weakened rapidly inside final furlong, last of 8, 3 1/2l behind Distinctly Game (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jan.
