led, ridden 2f out, hung right, headed and no extra inside final furlong
close up, ridden over 2f out, hung right approaching final furlong, driven and stayed on to lead near finish
held up in touch, improved over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, headed and no extra near finish
close up, chased leader halfway, ridden and every chance, hung right over 1f out, held when not much room inside final furlong
tracked leader to halfway, soon ridden, weakened 2f out, soon eased
It is hard to get away from the form claims of Court Masterpiece who is a confident choice to beat Three Graces and Millennium Force. Ed Dunlop's charge put in a very eyecatching effort last time in the Victoria Cup. He carried top-weight into fourth place behind the impressive Iffraaj, going down by just four lengths. That winner is potentially group class and so it was no mean performance giving that rival over a stone. A similar run today would see Court Masterpiece in the winners enclosure. Millennium Force has gone close in three decent events since returning from Dubai and should now be spot on for this. However a bigger threat may be posed by Three Graces. The Godolphin runners are now in great form and this well bred son of Peinte Celebre finished an excellent third at Nad Al Sheba when last at the races. On official ratings he is entitled to go very close and a big run is expected. In a very tricky contest the other three runners can also be given some kind of chance, but on this occasion we will have to go with Court Masterpiece.
Material Witness (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Chased stands' side leader, weakened 2f out, 16th of 18, 19l behind Iffraaj (8-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp (2) gd.
Azarole (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, kept on, not reach leaders, 7th of 11, 5l behind Le Vie Dei Colori (8-12) at Leicester 7f lst stk (1) gs in Apr.
Court Masterpiece 10-1 (9-10) Raced centre, held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, not quicken final furlong, 4th of 18, 3l behind Iffraaj (8-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp (2) gd.
El Coto 10-1 (8-7) Prominent, ridden 2f out, hampered and weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Quito (9-7) at York 7f lst hcp (1) sft.
Millennium Force 3-1 (9-0) Steadied start, held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Horeion Directa (9-5) at Lingfield 1m lst stk (1) gs in Apr.
Three Graces (GER) 10-1 (9-1) Led, ridden 500m out, headed final 100m, no extra, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Majors Cast (8-11) at Nad Al Sheba 1m hcp gf in Mar.
