mid-division, not fluent 5th, soon in rear, pulled up before the 9th
disputed lead, mistake 11th and lost position, soon ridden in rear, well behind after 3 out
towards rear and ridden patiently, headway and tracked leaders after 3 out, ridden and made strong challenge last, slightly hampered by loose horse before running on strongly, not enough, unlucky
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra after the last
mid-division, much closer and just behind leaders when pushed along 2 out, kept on into 3rd after the last but no match for the front pair
tracked leader, making strong challenge and going well when a bad mistake and unseated rider 2 out
mid-division, mistake 12th and soon weakened, ridden and behind after 3 out
towards rear, slightly closer after the 8th, briefly tracked leaders approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened after 3 out
disputed lead, mistake 8th, led after the 11th, ridden when faced strong challenge 2 out and the last, ran on gamely run-in, just held on
Fidux finished second in the Grade 3 Summer Plate at Market Rasen last July when both Imperial Presence and Pink Eyed Pedro were behind but he usually needs a run to put him straight. The latter ran a cracker in the Topham at Aintree last month to finish second and is only 3lb higher. After a walkover at Kempton, Marracudja found only one too good at Ascot but Kauto The King is on a career-high mark after victories at Wincanton and Chepstow and Eritage has also gone up 7lb since last month’s course and distance success. HUNTSMAN SON has been set some very stiff tasks since storming clear of strong opposition at Wetherby in the autumn. He is starting to come down the weights again and it’s a while since he’s been able to compete on his favoured good ground.
Lalor (GER) 14-1 (11-9) Chased leaders on outside, went 2nd 3rd, led 4 out, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Imperial Presence (IRE) 25-1 (12-7) Fell 1st, at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Huntsman Son (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Jumped left at times, led until after 1st, chased leaders, 7th when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Eritage (FR) 16-5 (11-5) Made virtually all, clear 2 out, mistake last, easily, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Champagne Court (11-2) by 5 1/2l, 6 ran.
Fidux (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden along before 3 out, made no impression from 2 out, 6th of 10, 7 1/4l behind Clondaw Castle (11-8) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Pink Eyed Pedro 33-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, hampered 11th (foinavon), headway from 12th (canal turn), 8th 3 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression when winner kicked clear before elbow, held after, stayed on and closed gap slightly towards finish, 2nd of 26, 4 1/2l behind Livelovelaugh (11-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Marracudja (FR) 11-2 (11-10) Waited with in rear, not fluent 6th, steady headway after 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, closer and 1 length down when ridden last, found no extra run-in, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Defi Sacre (11-2) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Drumlee Sunset (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Held up behind front pair, bad mistake 6th and dropped to rear, pushed after 4 out but still in contention, lost ground when ridden in 3rd after 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 4, dist behind Potters Legend (11-4) at Fakenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Kauto The King (FR) 11-8 (10-10) Made all, awkward 4th, hit 10th and next, clear 5 out, further clear before 3 out, mistake next, unchallenged, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Chirico Vallis (11-12) by 18l, 3 ran.
