in touch, led after 2f, ridden and headed over 2f out, one pace final furlong
led, headed after 2f and remained in touch, regained lead over 2f out, kept on gamely final furlong
held up in rear, headway 2f out, never reached challenging position
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied at start, held up towards rear, headway on outer 2f out, ridden to challenge and every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
in touch, effort over 2f out, soon beaten
dwelt, towards rear, headway 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
Swop is taken to get the better of Sam's Secret and Obezyana. Luca Cumani's lightly raced gelding is seeing turf for the same time, but on a fast surface can replicate his all-weather form, which most recently saw him beaten by a head at Great Leighs. Wearing blinkers for the first time may focus him more on the finish. Sam's Secret's four wins all came last year at a lower grade, but he's consistently involved in the finish. Getting 8 pounds from Swop will certainly help. Obezyana will try to set the pace as he did when coming first and second in his last couple of outings at Haydock. But Swop, particularly if there's on-course support, is taken to land the spoils in the opener.
Habshan (USA) 5-4fav (9-4) Steadied start, held up in rear, good headway over 2f out, ridden, faultered over 1f out, soon eased, virtually pulled up inside final furlong, lost three shoes, last of 6, 28l behind Mujood (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Swop (IRE) 4-5fav (9-2) Led, joined 5f out, ridden 2f out, headed near finish, 2nd of 8, hd behind Grand Vizier (8-5) at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in May.
Cornus 12-1 (8-12) Held up, not much room over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 14, 2l behind Compton's Eleven (8-8) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Obezyana (USA) 9-2jt-fav (8-10) Prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, briefly, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Farley Star (9-6) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-90 (3) gf.
Sam's Secret 6-4fav (8-10) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 9, 7l behind Abbondanza (9-11) at Musselburgh 1m clm (4) gd in May.
Kalasam 14-1 (10-7) Pulled hard to lead, headed after 2f but remained in touch, outpaced over 3f out, soon behind, last of 11, 23l behind Crossbow Creek (11-10) at York 1m 4f hcap (4) gd in May.
Bailieborough (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) Towards rear, never dangerous, last of 15, 24l behind Riley Boys (9-4) at Beverley 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Harare 16-1 (8-5) Raced centre, held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 18, 12l behind Oat Cuisine (8-8) at Newmarket 1m hcap (5) gf in May.