dwelt keen, mid-division, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on, gaining near finish
keen always in rear
keen in touch, progress to track leaders over 4f out, ridden and slightly outpaced over 1f out, driven and ran on near finish, not reach winner
held up, ridden 2f out, stayed on, never nearer
tracked leaders, tracked winner 6f out, challenged over 1f out, not quicken near finish
tracked leaders, ridden 5f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led after 2f, set steady pace, ridden 2f out, strongly pressed from over 1f out, held on gamely
in rear, never a factor
led 2f, tracked winner, ridden to challenge from over 1f out, not quicken near finish
PHOENIX FLIGHT carried top-weight to victory over C&D in January and is only 2lb higher on his return. A good effort over hurdles recently suggests he remains in fine fettle and James Evans' charge is taken to go in again here. Right Stuff went close in this race last year and arrives fit after a couple of starts over timber, while Ermyn Lodge signed off last year with a win at Ascot in September but is having his first start since. Muzo has been placed twice since winning here and is now 11lb higher in the weights as a result, but Dundalk winner Emrani is worth a second look.
Desert Sea (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Held up mid-division, soon towards rear, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 14th of 16, 16l behind Precision Break (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-110 (2) gd in Sep.
Phoenix Flight (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Steadied start, in rear, ridden 3f out, never near leaders, 7th of 9, 11l behind Admirable Duque (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcap (4) pol in Mar.
Right Stuff (FR) 3-1 (9-3) Led, soon clear, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on well, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Gala Evening (9-7) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Mar '10.
Into Wain (USA) 11-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear but in touch, ridden 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind King Olav (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f cnd stks (4yo+) (4) pol in Feb.
Aurorian (IRE) 11-4 (9-10) Mid-division, pushed along 3f out, headway and edged left over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 5l behind Rugell (9-9) at Ffos Las 1m 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Sep.
Emrani (USA) 7-2fav (9-3) won at Down Royal 2m hcp 50-80 gd in Sep beating Alpine Glade (9-7) by nk, 16 ran.
Crocus Rose 16-1 (9-10) In touch in mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden well over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 18, 2 1/2l behind Ashbrittle (9-10) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Battleoftrafalgar 7-2 (9-6) Led for 1f, tracked leader, weakened over 3f out, last of 9, 14l behind Kiss A Prince (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Langley 40-1 (8-10) Steadied in rear, under pressure 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 8, 4l behind Beaubrav (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Mar.
Muzo (USA) 6-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Admirable Duque (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcap (4) pol in Mar.
Ermyn Lodge 7-1 (8-12) Made all, driven along 2f out, stayed on gamely final furlong, won at Ascot 2m hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Sep beating Desert Recluse (8-11) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
