made all in centre group, overall leader, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well
raced centre, held up in touch, weakened well over 1f out
raced centre, chased winner, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on well
led standside group, well on terms, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on, no chance with centre group
raced centre, held up, weakened over 2f out
tracked leader in standside group, effort over 2f out, soon one pace
raced standside, tracked leaders, effort over 1f out, soon no impression
raced centre, tracked winner, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon faded
held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, kept on same pace
Nonrunner
In the opener Dark Islander gets the call ahead of Levera and, maybe, Dream Theme. Dark Islander's stamina seemed to give out close home here over seven furlongs last time although it could just have been that he needed his seasonal return. In any case, running in a handicap for the first time, he could prove to be well-weighted, particularly given that the fourth-placed horse from that race has won well since. Levera was quite impressive when scoring over course and distance last time and, with the runner-up having defied a four pounds rise to score at Ripon during the week, he can go well again, even though a ten-pounds higher rating will not make life easy for him. Military Cross was found out at Group level on his final juvenile start but had looked promising before that, while Layazaal is ten pounds better off with Levera for four lengths based on the latter's course and distance win, as is The Snatcher for a four-and-a-half length deficit. Cape Presto is looking a little more exposed than most, and he was behind Salute Him at Newbury over a mile last time, Star Crowned showed improved form in headgear last time but needs to keep it coming, while Barry Hills' Dream Theme and John Gosden's Cactus King are lightly-raced potential improvers that have to be given some thought. In an interesting opener, then, the vote stays with Dark Islander.
Levera 9-2fav (8-8) Made all far side group and overall leader, clear over 1f out, ran on well, won at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Obe Brave (9-2) by 2l, 17 ran.
Military Cross 12-1 (8-9) Dwelt, keen and soon chased leaders, weakened quickly over 2f out, last of 13, 16l behind Hurricane Cat (8-9) at Newbury 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Layazaal (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Raced far side, held up in touch, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, soon one pace, 5th of 17, 4l behind Levera (8-8) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Apr.
The Snatcher (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Raced far side, chased winner, ridden and hung left over 1f out, soon faded, 6th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Levera (8-8) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Cape Presto (IRE) 10-1 (9-3) Pressed leader over 5f, 9th of 11, 12l behind Night Crescendo (8-13) at Newbury 1m 3yo hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Star Crowned (USA) 33-1 (9-0) Always prominent, led over 4f out, headed just over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Aeroplane (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr.
Dream Theme 5-2 (8-11) Held up in mid-division, smooth headway over 2f out, led 1f out, soon clear, won at Kempton 7f mdn stk (4) pol in Apr beating Red Diadem (8-6) by 5l, 12 ran.
Salute Him (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden and kept on final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 11, 6l behind Night Crescendo (8-13) at Newbury 1m 3yo hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Cactus King 2-1fav (9-0) With leader, led 6f out, ridden clear final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov beating Queen's Composer (9-0) by 4l, 12 ran.
Dark Islander (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed and no extra at closing stages, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Saville Road (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 3yo stk (4) gf in Apr.
