tracked leader, every chance over 2f out, faded inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear and outpaced, soon detached
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on and held near finish
slowly into stride, towards rear and outpaced, never dangerous
led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, held on near finish
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders in 3rd, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra
A fairly inauspicious start to proceedings, though it's interesting that Avalanche Express has been kept in training as he was second over 7f on soft ground at Redcar last year. That's probably the best form on offer, though he is giving 13lb to the three-year-olds. SPICE MILL has already proved himself on Fibresand with a couple of places and he would have got closer over 5f here earlier in the month had he not blown the start – he could go one better if getting away on terms. Iconic Figure has been third twice here over 5f but the Mount Nelson newcomer African Blessing, whose half-brother won at Wolverhampton, is more interesting given his stable's current good form.
Avalanche Express 3-1fav (9-7) Keen close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 7 1/4l behind Live Dangerously (9-0) at Goodwood 7f hcp (5) sft in Aug.
Eddy Mercs 33-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, soon outpaced towards rear, headway when hampered on inside over 4f out, no danger after, last of 7, dist behind Hutton (8-9) at Southwell 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.
Kestrel Dot Com Oasis Dream gelding out of Tanfidh.
Silver Bid (USA) 50-1 (10-0) Behind, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon headway, kept on same pace, 6th of 12, 5 1/2l behind Ian Fleming (8-13) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (4) pol in Mar.
Ay Up Audrey Desideratum M out of Smiddy Hill.
Desafinado (IRE) 14-1 (9-8) Always towards rear, ran very wide bend 2f out, 8th of 9, 11 3/4l behind Bear Faced (8-9) at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Aegean Boy 25-1 (9-5) Dwelt soon prominent, led halfway, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 10 1/4l behind September Issue (9-5) at Southwell 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
African Blessing Mount Nelson gelding out of Bella Beguine.
Chez Vegas 33-1 (9-5) Dwelt in rear, headway towards far side over 1f out, nearest finish, 4th of 9, 6 1/4l behind September Issue (9-5) at Southwell 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Iconic Figure (IRE) 11-8fav (8-13) With leader, hard ridden well over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 3 3/4l behind James Bond Girl (9-9) at Southwell 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Ordinal 25-1 (9-5) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 14, 8 1/2l behind Captain Dion (9-5) at Redcar 6f mdn stks (5) sft in Oct.
Spice Mill (IRE) 9-2 (9-5) In touch, headway 2f out, edged left and soon switched left approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind September Issue (9-5) at Southwell 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
St Andrews (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Towards rear, pushed along 3f out, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 13l behind Ian Fleming (8-13) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (4) pol in Mar.
