steadied start held up in 8th and well off the pace, not clearest of runs over 2f out, until well over 1f out, stayed on to 2nd last half furlong, never able to reach unchallenged winner
soon crossed over to lead, pushed clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, eased near finish, unchallenged
held up in 7th on outside, effort over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
in rear on inside when badly hampered after 1f, pushed along in rear 3f out, never a factor
in touch in 5th, under pressure 4f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leading pair, stayed on to modest 2nd over 2f out, no chance with winner, lost 2nd last half furlong
switched left to inside after 1f, took keen hold, tracked leading trio, pushed along over 3f out, ridden on outside and one pace from over 1f out
chased winner, no chance when lost 2nd over 2f out, soon weakened
held up in 6th on inside, brief effort and ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
GENE AUTRY gets the nod here ahead of Madam Macie and Admire The View. Richard Hannon's colt made a decent start to his racing this year when second to Masked Dance on his reappearance at Warwick. Quick ground suits and with Richard Hughes back in the saddle he could take all the beating. Madam Macie won on her first run last year, springing a surprise at 66/1. That was no great race but she wasn't disgraced on soft ground at Newbury in a Listed race after and if handling this quicker ground is far from ruled out. Admire The View was out of her depth in the Sweet Solera Stakes and fared no better when beaten at Kempton on her reappearance. However she is down in the weights and is fancied to perform better today. Master Of Dance has a new home after a Kempton claiming win in January and it will be interesting to see how this former Hannon inmate moves in the betting today. Skyfire is capable of better having flopped at 100/30 at Epsom; any run there is forgiven and this track should be more to his liking having won at Musselburgh last month. High Importance is frustrating to follow, Emerald Girl should get this longer trip and is considered off a workable mark of 71, whilst Khajaaly has been given three quiet runs and is of more interest now handicapping off a mark of 70. The market could have a big say here and we will side with Gene Autry. [Nic Doggett]
Gene Autry (USA) 9-4fav (9-0) Keen early, mid-division, headway halfway, every chance entering final furlong, stayed on well, just failed, 2nd of 10, hd behind Masked Dance (9-2) at Warwick 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
Madam Macie (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Led 2f, with leader, ridden well over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 11l behind Electric Feel (8-12) at Newbury 7f 3yo lst fll (1) sft in Oct.
Admire The View (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Chased leaders on outside, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 6th of 7, 12l behind Hypnotized (9-0) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Master Of Dance (IRE) 4-9fav (9-4) Steadied in rear, travelled strongly, headway over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ridden out, won at Kempton 1m 3yo clm stks (5) pol in Jan beating Brenda Duke (8-3) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Skyfire 10-3 (9-4) Tracked leader until 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out, last of 12, 33l behind Kajima (8-13) at Epsom Downs 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr.
High Importance (USA) 9-4 (9-3) Tracked leaders early, held up, headway well over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Kajima (9-4) at Warwick 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Emerald Girl (IRE) 6-1 (8-0) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 4th close home, 4th of 12, 3l behind Bossy Kitty (7-12) at York 6f 2yo hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Hail Bold Chief (USA) 14-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, lost place 4f out, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, last of 10, 20l behind Dherghaam (9-0) at Catterick 7f mdn stks (5) fm.
Khajaaly (IRE) 9-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, stayed on inside final furlong, never near leaders, 7th of 13, 11l behind Faithful One (8-7) at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Apr.
