held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on well towards finish
dwelt, always in rear
raced wide, held up, headway 2f out, edged left over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, ridden halfway, headway 2f out, weakened final furlong
soon outpaced
slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on same pace final 2f
always in rear
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3f out
slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
led, headed over 4f out, chased leader after, weakened 2f out
taken to post early, chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Desire To Excel and Arachnophobia are expected to finish among the minors here but we side with AVOIR CHOISI. The three-year-old colt hammered his opponents when faced with a relatively straightforward task in a 7f Kempton maiden in January. He had more to do on his handicap debut last time after 86 days off and ended up finishing third. However, he may have needed this run to regain sharpness, is related to Spinning Lucy who was highly progressive in the early stages of her career, and is worth another chance this time. Desire To Excel was the winner of a modest maiden at Musselburgh last time out. He looks to be back in good shape and should be there or thereabouts at the post. The Pat Eddery-trained Arachnophobia hasn't finished outside the minors so far this year and the same is to be expected today. The gelding ran with credit last time and should do well again.
Lakeman (IRE) 33-1 (9-2) Always behind, last of 8, 11l behind Spinners End (8-5) at Pontefract 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Avoir Choisi (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Green Agenda (9-1) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Silent Hero 14-1 (8-10) Steadied start, effort on outside 2f out, not sustained, 7th of 8, 6l behind Seek N' Destroy (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in May.
Desire To Excel (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Made all, hung left on bend over 3f out, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure, won at Musselburgh 7f mdn stks (5) gf in Apr beating Campli (9-6) by hd, 11 ran.
Arachnophobia (IRE) 9-2fav (8-9) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, outpaced by 1st 2, kept on well for 3rd, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Seek The Fair Land (8-10) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Apr.
Fitzolini 50-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 12, 13l behind Dark Lane (8-13) at Haydock 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May.
Kiss A Prince 10-1 (9-4) Switched left 3f out, always behind, 14th of 17, 12l behind Lighthearted (8-12) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Passage To India (IRE) 7-2 (8-7) Held up mid-division, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 8l behind Doncosaque (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Dean Iarracht (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Floor Show (8-13) at Newcastle 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr.
Darwin's Dragon 100-1 (9-0) Raced centre, tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 13th of 19, 19l behind Open Sesame (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
Petsas Pleasure 5-2fav (9-2) In touch, ridden along over 3f out, not much room when weakening over 2f out, last of 9, well behind Mons Calpe (8-10) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Fortunate Flame 4-1 (9-0) Led, ridden well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, edged left and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Sunshine Always (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in May.
Thurston (IRE) 50-1 (8-8) Prominent, hard ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 12l behind Peter's Gift (8-11) at Southwell 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in May.
Cheam Forever (USA) 9-2fav (8-9) Never better than mid-division, 12th of 16, 7l behind Rio Royale (9-1) at Salisbury 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fm in May.