tracked winner, ridden to challenge well over 2f out, every chance until weakened approaching final furlong
towards rear, under pressure over 2f out, no impression on leaders and soon weakened
tracked leaders, chased winner over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra near finish and just held
mid-division until weakened over 2f out
started slowly and always in rear
held up in touch, ridden and outpaced 2f out, ran on again inside final furlong, gaining towards finish
held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
prominent on outer, chased leaders 3f out, every chance over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
made all, hard pressed from over 2f out, and again over 1f out, ran on well under pressure, just held on, all out
started slowly, in rear, some headway on inner over 2f out, never dangerous
A fairly tight affair in which Spring Jim is given the call ahead of I'm So Lucky, Bayeux, Look Again, Sky Quest and Silvaline. Spring Jim is a decent handicapper on his day and, much as he is four pounds above the mark from which he won at Doncaster two runs ago and was a bit disappointing at Newmarket last time, we will give him another chance to confirm our favourable impression. Bayeux has not really built on his good Newmarket run last autumn but at least he is dropping in the weights now, while Flight Of Esteem holds claims on his best form, although he has been lightly raced since running well at Ascot in September 2003. Look Again ran well over course and distance last time and, only lightly-raced, can be expected to improve and go well, while Sky Quest should be at his sharpest following a couple of runs this season and, not far above a winning mark, could go well. If the blinkers work like they did last time for Whitsbury Cross, he holds claims, while, much as Prince Nureyev has been disappointing on his last three runs, the form of his course and distance second last July gives him claims, although Silvaline, who is now better off at the weights, was ahead of him on that occasion. I'm So Lucky ran a blinder to be fourth in the King George V Stakes last time from his revised mark and he too is respected, while, although a shadow of his former self, Bourgainville has now been given a real chance by the handicapper. Overall, though, the vote goes to Spring Jim.
Bayeux (USA) (8-9) Tracked leaders; 3rd straight; ridden 500m out; soon weakened, 10th of 11, 12l behind Lundy's Lane (8-6) at Nad Al Sheba 1m hcp gd in Feb.
Flight of Esteem 5-1fav (9-10) In touch, led over 3f out, ridden and headed just over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Cold Turkey (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (C) pol in Jan '04.
Look Again 16-1 (9-5) Took keen hold in touch, effort 2f out, upsides winner and every chance final furlong, unable to quicken and held near finish, 2nd of 15, nk behind Trew Class (9-2) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Day To Remember 6-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden over 4f out, weakened quickly 3f out, 12th of 13, well behind Tiger Tiger (8-7) at Chester 1m 2f hcp (2) gs in May.
Sky Quest (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) Slowly into stride, behind, effort when not much room well over 1f out, driven and not much room entering final furlong, one pace, 7th of 11, 5l behind Ace of Hearts (9-11) at Ripon 1m 1f hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Spring Jim 4-1 (9-2) Held up, headway 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Solo Flight (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in May.
Secretary General (IRE) 17-2 (9-12) Led and soon set good pace, ridden and kept on well final 2f until no extra and caught towards finish, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Whitsbury Cross (9-8) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp (3) gf in Jun.
Prince Nureyev (IRE) 66-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, soon in mid-division, weakened inside final 2f, 9th of 16, 7l behind Audience (9-12) at Salisbury 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun.
I'm So Lucky 33-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Munsef (8-7) at York 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Silvaline 33-1 (9-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 11th of 17, 4 1/2l behind Valance (9-4) at Carlisle 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Bourgainville 8-1 (9-6) In touch, led over 6f out, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Porthcawl (9-3) at Doncaster 1m stk (4) gf in May.
