made all, ridden 2f out, drew clear final furlong, unchallenged
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, some headway to chase winner, weakened inside final furlong
tracked winner, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, always behind, beaten from halfway
Valance gets the call here ahead of Aahsayson and Adaptation. Valance comes out the best of these on adjusted ratings and is selected based on his juvenile promise, which saw him placed at Listed level. Aahsayson's and Northern Fling's marks are about right, and we would prefer the first-named of the pair, while Adaptation holds claims if getting back to his course and distance winning form of last year and is possibly one to catch fresh. With Just Joey having to improve by a few pounds, we return to the selection, which is Valance.
Aahayson 9-2 (9-1) Prominent, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace, 5th of 10, 3l behind Regal Parade (8-11) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (2) gf.
Northern Fling 18-1 (8-9) Behind, driven and headway 2f out, switched right 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to lead final 50 yards, won at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Apr beating Dickie Le Davoir (8-10) by 1/2l, 14 ran.
Tom Tower (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Chased leaders to halfway, 8th of 9, 21l behind Leonide (9-7) at Haydock 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sept.
Valiance (USA) 1-5fav (9-0) Soon led and raced keenly, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Habalwatan (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2yo stk (3) pol in Nov.
Adaptation (8-8) In touch until weakened over 1f out, 7th of 11, 9l behind Missvinski (8-8) at Maisons-Laffitte 6f stk in Nov.
Bovered (IRE) Fayruz filly, half-sister to winning jumper Hope Sound and hurdler Sioux Falls.
Just Joey 40-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden along halfway, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Jack Rackham (8-12) at Beverley 5f 3yo hcp (4) gf.