prominent, ridden 2f out, led 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
behind, ridden 2f out, headway on inner approaching final furlong, ran on inside final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
dwelt behind, headway on outer halfway, no impression final furlong
always towards rear
prominent, ridden over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
behind, chased leaders halfway, no extra inside final furlong
dwelt, behind, ridden halfway, stayed on well final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, had every chance, kept on
chased leaders, effort and not much room inside final furlong, switched to right and kept on
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, eased inside
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened and eased approaching final furlong
dwelt, behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on and headed to finish
This valuable prize can go to Fonthill Road, who is fancied to take some stopping if he can stay out of trouble today. River Falcon, The Lord and Whistler are all in good heart at present and will not make this easy for the selection. Similar comments apply to Cape Royal, who is very capable on his day and should not be underestimate despite having to carry top weight. Plateau, Atlantic Viking and Peace Offering will no doubt be coupled by many who blindly follow sprint king David Nicholls. However, they each have something to prove regarding their reliability and none can confidently be recommended. Whistler won well at Goodwood eight days ago and should again run his race. He is closely matched with The Lord on recent efforts and there is unlikely to be much between them again here. River Falcon is obviously on the crest of a wave at present and all the old cliches about 'sprinter in form' apply to him. Kieren Fallon renews the partnership and a bold bid is expected. Nevertheless, the gelding has never won off a mark this high and it will take a career best effort for River Falcon to prevail. Therefore, we switch our attention to Fonthill Road, who has started this season in flying form and looks progressive enough to rise to this afternoon's challenge .
Cape Royal 15-2 (9-6) Slowly into stride, behind, effort on wide outside 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 4l behind Whistler (8-10) at Goodwood 5f hcp (2) gs.
Forever Phoenix 8-1 (9-3) Led, headed 4f out, remained in touch, ridden, every chance approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Kind (9-7) at Nottingham 6f lst fll stk (1) gf.
River Falcon 11-4fav (8-8) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at York 5f hcp (2) sft beating Magic Glade (8-9) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
The Lord 5-1 (9-0) Pressed leaders on outer, led inside final furlong, ridden and kept on until caught final 75 yards, 2nd of 10, nk behind Whistler (8-10) at Goodwood 5f hcp (2) gs.
Fonthill Road (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (8-6) Mid-division, headway when not much room over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 19, shd behind Soldier's Tale (8-12) at York 6f hcp (2) gs.
Beckermet (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on well towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1/2l behind Corridor Creeper (9-6) at Haydock 5f hcp (2) gf.
Atlantic Viking (IRE) 50-1 (9-7) Always behind, far side, 15th of 17, 13l behind Partners In Jazz (9-2) at Ripon 6f hcp (3) sft.
Peace Offering (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Chased leaders to halfway, soon weakened, 13th of 15, 5l behind Cupids Ray (9-12) at Navan 6f hcp hvy in Apr.
Whistler 10-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, good headway on wide outside 1f out, edged left final 75yds, led close home, won at Goodwood 5f hcp (2) gs beating The Lord (9-0) by a nk, 10 ran.
Dazzling Bay 11-2 (8-10) Slowly away, in rear, headway halfway, one pace and no impression final furlong, 8th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Corridor Creeper (9-6) at Haydock 5f hcp (2) gf.
Fun To Ride 66-1 (8-5) Prominent, ridden 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 8th of 19, 9l behind Soldier's Tale (8-12) at York 6f hcp (2) gs.
Malapropism 11-1 (8-10) Towards rear, hampered halfway, headway and hung right over 1f out, ran on final furlong but not reach leaders, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Whistler (8-10) at Goodwood 5f hcp (2) gs.
Dragon Flyer (IRE) 20-1 (8-7) With leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Corridor Creeper (9-6) at Haydock 5f hcp (2) gf.
Ptarmigan Ridge 14-1 (8-7) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, no impression, 13th of 14, 14l behind River Falcon (8-8) at York 5f hcp (2) sft.
Plateau 16-1 (8-8) Taken down early and trotted to post, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, not quicken, 4th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Bishops Court (9-2) at Epsom 5f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Highland Warrior 10-1 (8-10) Behind far side, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer, 9th of 17, 6l behind Partners In Jazz (9-2) at Ripon 6f hcp (3) sft.
Bond Boy 16-1 (8-10) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, one pace and never dangerous, 8th of 13, 10l behind Gift Horse (9-7) at Doncaster 6f hcp (4) gs.
