This year’s renewal was run at a good pace, with the majority of the field slower than par for the final furlong. While visually it appeared as though the winner, Mission Central, was flying late on, this was exaggerated by the fact that many of those in front of him were slowing down. His late burst was enough to grab victory from the jaws of defeat, with Ryan Moore also receiving plenty of plaudits. The race developed closer to the stands side and those drawn low never really got involved, with the first nine horses home all coming from a double-figure stall.
saw this out much better than his rivals, coming from nearer last than first at the furlong pole. He was exceptionally strong in the final 100 yards of this contest and got up in the final strides to chin Rayevka, the French raider. The son of No Nay Never has now won his last three on the bounce at this trip, with this being his first at the top level. He is unbeaten in three starts over six furlongs too though, so connections have plenty of options. On this evidence, a sharp five furlongs may find him out, but he is improving all the time, and this was a clear career best.
produced a big effort in defeat, looking like the winner near the line as she surged through towards the centre of the track. The French filly raced in mid-division but made ground through the field in the final two furlongs, as those in front came back slightly. She looked likely to go two better than her third at this meeting last year when hitting the front but had to settle for second after being headed in the final strides. She is unexposed over this trip as this was just her third attempt at five furlongs.
can possibly count himself a little unlucky. The Aussie sprinter fared best of those that contributed to the quick opening furlong, with both the winner and the second coming from much further back. He might well have found the stiff finish too much anyway, but his effort faded in the final half furlong. The winner was three and a half lengths quicker for the final split, with plenty of that in the final 100 yards.
sat just off the leaders on the stands side and got a fairly efficient ride which helped her to take a significant step forward on form. She did have to use energy to come across from stall 11 though, and as the field spread out to make their challenge, she was forced over towards the centre of the track again. A good run from a filly previously rated 108 and she continues to progress.
shaped well considering he led at the end of the opening furlong. He was starting to show signs of tiredness in the penultimate furlong, and this was even more obvious in the final furlong as he faded back into fifth. He continues to go in the right direction though and could be a potent force over a sharp five furlongs.
was rated just 92 coming into this and while it was certainly a career-best effort, it does raise question marks over the strength of the form given she was only beaten a length and a half. She was relatively untried over this trip on quick ground though, with her previous York second her only attempt on good.
was much better here than her two previous starts this season, even though still below her best from 2025. If she can continue to improve for racing, she might yet make her mark in a Group 1 this season. Like this race last year, she struggled to keep going in the final furlong after trading just above evens in running.
dead-heated for eighth with Big Mojo. She was never nearer than at the line, thanks to a combined final two furlongs that were only bettered by the winner.
again left the feeling that he had more to give. He might just be one of those horses, keeping on without ever really threatening.
did best of those drawn in a single-figure stall and deserves some upgrade. He never really looked like winning though and faded away from the furlong pole.
raced prominently but was under pressure earlier than most and weakened in the final furlong.
shaped better than the bare result, having been slowly away and running on well late in the day.
was held up and made ground in the closing stages. He would have finished closer but for traffic problems in the final 100 yards too.
did well enough from stall 2 given how the race played out. She may need her sights lowered though.
never really got involved having been held up stands side.
raced mid-division on the stands side early but weakened inside the penultimate furlong when asked for effort.
was right up with the pace in the first of the race but came under pressure relatively early and was beaten by the furlong pole.
raced towards the far side and that group never featured. He may need further in any case (it was his first try at five furlongs).
came across to the stands side group and raced prominently. She travelled well to a point but weakened badly in the final furlong.
was forward among the far side group but never got involved.
reared badly at the start from stall 1 and never had a chance thereafter.
raced mid-division on the far side but faded as the race developed.
was held up on the far side and never threatened.
was in midfield in the stands side group early on but was unable to sustain her effort.
raced on the far side and was one of the first horses beaten.
was very disappointing. He was far too keen to do himself justice and weakened quickly before being eased.
