mid-division, chased leaders on outer over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
prominent, ridden and lost touch 2f out
mid-division, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, just outpaced by winner
in touch, ridden and weakened from 2f out
led, ridden and headed just over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
steadied start, behind, good headway 2f out, ridden to challenge and every chance 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
started slowly, towards rear, headway and not clear run on rail over 1f out, checked, no chance final furlong
stumbled start, towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
chased leader, ridden to lead narrowly just over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on
always behind, never on terms
tracked leader, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken, soon weakened
switched right start and settled in rear, smooth headway from 2f out, led entering final furlong, pushed clear, comfortably
Guildenstern receives our nomination; Desert Light and Double Valentine may be best of the supporting cast but there are several in with claims. The selection has been in good form of late, winning over course and distance before meeting trouble in running at Wolverhampton. He hasn't won very often on the all-weather but is still well treated and should be a leading player on this stage. Nightstrike didn't shape too badly last time, Simpsons Gamble may well get into the mix once again as may Double Valentine as she is such a consistent mare. Desert Light comes here on the back of a win and is only racing from a 3lb higher mark; that still leaves him on a very attractive mark on the best of last year's form and he won readily but Guildenstern can steal the scene.
Stamford Blue 14-1 (8-11) Bumped start and always towards rear in centre, 16th of 18, 11l behind Masai Moon (8-11) at Salisbury 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Oct.
Bollin Franny 14-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, one pace final furlong, 6th of 14, 5l behind Zahour Al Yasmeen (8-11) at York 5f 3yo app hcp (5) gf in Sept.
Guildenstern (IRE) 11-2 (9-5) Mid-division, not clear run and lost place over 3f out, headway over 2f out, switched right 1f out and kept on, 5th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Guadaloup (8-8) at W'hampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Barbar 9-1 (9-3) Keen hold, towards rear, beaten when not much room inside final 2f, 9th of 11, 6l behind Willhewiz (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Oct.
Nightstrike (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Towards rear, effort on inside 2f out, not clear run approaching final furlong, switched left and ran on, 5th of 12, 5l behind Toms Laughter (8-10) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Hart of Gold 9-1 (8-3) Pulled very hard, tracked winner to over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened from 2f out, 4th of 7, 9l behind Alexander Huricane (8-8) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Double Valentine 3-1fav (8-2) Steadied start, held up in rear, headway on inside over 1f out, effort entering final furlong, no extra near finish, 5th of 9, 1/2l behind Ever Cheerful (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Greenwood 16-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, every chance 1f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Desert Light (8-5) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Is It Time (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Dwelt, soon prominent stand side, effort halfway, soon beaten, 11th of 13, 10l behind Cleveland (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
Simpsons Gamble (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) In rear, good headway on outer, strong run from over 1f out, finished well, took 3rd final stride, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Desert Light (8-5) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Desert Light (IRE) 6-1 (8-5) In touch, quickened between rivals to lead inside final furlong, clear towards finish, ridden out, won at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol in Mar beating Tilsworth Charlie (9-0) by 1l, 11 ran.
Duke Of Milan (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 1l behind Wibbadune (8-10) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Mar.
