soon chasing leader, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
in rear, headway and switched right 2f out, led over 1f out, headed towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
The ground may well hold the key to this contest, with Lang Shining the most likely winner provided it does not get too quick, while Blythe Knight looks capable of getting very competitive in a race he won last year. Lang Shining has the look of a well handicapped colt after landing a soft ground Newbury handicap last time and Sir Michael Stoute thinks that he is best over this mile for the time being. His sire Dr Fong did win on fast ground once, but undoubtedly preferred some cut, though we will chance Lang Shining as the ground on the Knavesmire is rarely like a road. Blythe Knight is now 14lb higher than when scoring in this last season and has not won for some time. However, he is a classy sort who excels over this trip and also handles conditions, so he is not confidently ruled out. Mia's Boy looks up against it despite a string of wins, after being beaten from a 2lb lower mark at Great Leighs last time, and New Seeker is back on a very handy mark and will relish the drying ground, but he definitely looks best over seven furlongs. Fishforcompliments represents a yard in form but looks beatable at the weights and with a cautionary note over the ground, we'll take Lang Shining to win again.
Blythe Knight (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 5l behind Major Cadeaux (9-0) at Sandown 1m Grp 2 (1) gd in Apr.
New Seeker 11-1 (9-6) Soon led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, last of 5, 14l behind Multidimensional (9-3) at Newbury 1m 1f stk (3) gf in Sept.
Lang Shining (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (8-11) Close up, headway to chase leader 1f out, ran on under pressure to lead towards finish, won at Newbury 1m hcap (2) sft in Apr beating Benandonner (8-7) by a nk, 17 ran.
Annemasse 25-1 (8-11) Raced far side, tracked leaders, ridden to challenge well over 2f out, soon edged right, kept on same pace, 9th of 21, 10l behind Smokey Oakey (8-9) at Doncaster 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Mia's Boy 4-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, steadied after 3f, headway 2f out, soon every chance, ridden 1f out, stayed on, unable to quicken towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Emerald Wilderness (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr.
Clipperdown (IRE) 18-1 (9-4) Held up, headway and every chance 2f out, soon beaten, last of 5, 20l behind Escape Route (8-11) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) pol in Apr.
Fishforcompliments 14-1 (9-2) Held up, driven and headway over 1f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong, 7th of 22, 4 1/2l behind Zaahid (8-11) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gf.
