held up towards rear, headway on outside from over 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on
mid-division, effort 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, hung left, no impression towards finish
mid-division, headway on outside over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, stayed on
prominent, ridden 3f out, lost place over 2f out
held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, lost place over 2f out
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
tracked leaders, lost place over 1f out
held up in touch inside, struggling from 2f out
held up in rear, headway 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
led, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace
Most of these arrive in good form and though Elysees Palace has been an odds-on beaten favourite the last twice he goes really well here and is lightly-raced for his age. Claire Underwood was winning for the second time on Tapeta when proving her stamina with a battling victory over the track and trip three weeks ago. She's only 2lb higher but DESERT RULER, who was narrowly beaten into third, was having his first start since September and looked like winning until caught close home. A dual winner on the surface, he can return to winning ways though Lopes Dancer and Star Ascending both won last time out, the former making all under a canny ride over the course and distance and the latter gaining his tenth all-weather victory at Wolverhampton last month though he's only ever run here once.
Desert Ruler 8-1 (9-7) Held up behind, headway on outside over 2f out, soon challenged, led narrowly over 1f out, ridden and headed inside final 100 yards, kept on, 3rd of 7, hd behind Claire Underwood (9-4) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Elysees Palace 1-2fav (9-4) Tracked leader, soon led, ridden over 2f out, kept on and headed close home, 2nd of 6, shd behind Tralee Hills (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Claire Underwood (IRE) 5-2jfav (9-4) In touch main group, headway over 2f out, soon challenged, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead narrowly inside final 100 yards, just held on, won at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Loud And Clear (9-6) by hd, 7 ran.
Iconic Belle 10-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, outpaced 3 out, weakened approaching last, last of 4, dist behind Another Theatre (11-10) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Tenedos 14-1 (8-12) Dwelt, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 12 3/4l behind Fearsome (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Lopes Dancer (IRE) 9-4jfav (9-7) Made all, shaken up inside final 2f, soon hard pressed, ridden out inside final furlong, held on well, won at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Champagne Rules (9-2) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Star Ascending (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Held up in touch, travelled strongly, closed over 2f out, led just over 1f out, edged slightly left well inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Ice Canyon (9-5) by nk, 10 ran.
Captain Pugwash (IRE) 16-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, not much room over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Regular Income (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Trautmann (IRE) 9-4jfav (9-4) Held up in rear, shaken up and hung left inside final 2f, headway inside final furlong, ridden and stayed on to chase front pair inside final 100 yards, never on terms, 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Lopes Dancer (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Champarisi 9-4fav (9-1) Led, edged left and headed over 1f out, held when not much room well inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 2l behind Star Ascending (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
