led 1f, prominent, ridden over 1f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, weakened final furlong
led after 1f, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out
pushed along and slightly outpaced in rear, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
None of these are easily dismissed but ABSCENT FRIENDS ticks all the boxes and it could pay to stick with Bill Turner's colt. He finished a couple of lengths ahead of Magical Roundabout when third in soft ground over today's trip at Ascot a fortnight ago and can defy a penalty. Mambo Paradise is also penalised for her win at Musselburgh but third-placed Winstanley may reverse running on better terms today with Ryan Moore taking over the reins. Captain Colby made a winning start at Thirsk and that form looks stronger than Mignolino's debut effort at Newcastle.
Abscent Friends 8-1 (9-1) Pressed winner, ridden over 1f out, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Escalating (9-1) at Ascot 5f 2yo stks (2) sft in Apr.
Magical Roundabout (IRE) 15-8 (9-1) Tracked leaders, headway 2f out, effort when hung badly right towards far side rail over 1f out, kept on same pace, well held towards finish, last of 4, 3 1/2l behind Escalating (9-1) at Ascot 5f 2yo stks (2) sft in Apr.
Captain Colby (USA) 5-2 (9-5) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on well, driven out, won at Thirsk 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd beating Denton Dawn (8-9) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Mignolino (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Behind and outpaced, ridden and kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 5th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Ko Cache (8-9) at Newcastle 5f 2yo nov stk (4) gf in Apr.
Winstanley (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Dwelt, soon pressing leader, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and every chance 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Mambo Paradise (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo mdn (4) gs.
Mambo Paradise 16-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, tracked leaders, not clear run 2f out, closed over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Musselburgh 5f 2yo mdn (4) gs beating Al Ghuwariyah (9-0) by 3l, 4 ran.
