Vitznau held up behind leaders, closed smoothly from well over 1f out to dispute lead entering final furlong, ridden to assert last 100yds

Esteem Machine steadied start, held up towards rear, shaken up and good progress from 2f out, disputed lead entering final furlong, just outpaced near finish

Resplendent Nova chased clear leader, closed to lead over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, battled on but held last 100yds

Presumptive steadied start, held up in last and well off the pace, progress and switched several times from 2f out, one reminder over 1f out, stayed on to take 4th near finish, do better

Hazzard County tracked leaders, disputed 2nd 3f out, soon not quicken, renewed effort to press leaders over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong

Red Cape held up in rear, effort over 2f out, cajoled along and plugged on one pace, no danger

Monkey Glas led at strong pace and soon clear, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong

Mr Garston always well in rear, struggling from 3f out

Party Boss never beyond midfield, struggling 3f out, weakened and tailed off

El Bosque stumbled start, soon chased leaders, weakened rapidly over 2f out, tailed off

No hanging around here, and that suited top weight VITZNAU ideally. Much improved last year after two AW seconds off much lower marks, he was clearly going best approaching the 2f marker but Richard Hughes hung on to him until launching him between horses approaching the furlong marker. It was a three-way battle through the final furlong, but Hughes always looked to have matters in hand and the colt won a shade comfortably without him getting at all serious. He is better at this trip than the 1m of the Lincoln and he has done all his winning on a turning track, although he has decent form at Newmarket. The Victoria Cup would seem an obvious target, although it wasn’t mentioned.

Esteem Machine, all the better for last month’s pipeopener, came from a bit further back but got there in plenty of time. A good effort in defeat.

Resplendent Nova, back to form here last time, ran another excellent race. He chased clear leader Monkey Glas until taking it up over 2f out, and he battled hard when headed.

Hazzard County made a more than satisfactory reappearance in fifth, ahead of Red Cape, who is nicely treated nowadays but not running particularly well.

Monkey Glas is probably too high in the handicap now, but he was never going to be able to maintain such a strong pace in any case.

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