A race that is traditionally run three weeks earlier and is a curtain-raiser for the top handicappers, usually bringing together a mix of sprinters and milers.

There was plenty of top handicap form on offer here, headed by 2004 race winner Mine, and astrong pace makes it a good dress rehearsal for races such as the Royal Hunt Cup and Totesport International back here and the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket among others.

The runners were noticeably kicking the top off after more rain fell and the ground had certainly eased from good to firm. The field packed stands' side with the exception of Kamanda Laugh, who showed speed midtrack before being found out on the ground.

PARTNERS IN JAZZ showed his slow-starting run behind King's Capriceand others at Newmarket was just needed on unfavourably fast ground, turning the form around in good style as the rain came in his favour. He fully deserved this first win over seven, having run well in the International and Bunbury last year. This clear-cut win will not help his cause with the handicapper and everything was in his favour here.

Marching Song did not get the clearest run as he was drawn low and tucked in but ended having to challenge widest out in the final furlong, finishing witha flourish and building on a promising comeback after slightly losing his way last year, which at least has seen him ease a few pounds.

Prince Of Thebes had been laid out for the race and after tracking the strong pace stands' side made a strong move going to the final furlong, but the rain did not help his cause and while he stayed on much better than others who raced around him midrace, he could find no more close home. He can make amends back on faster ground, with the Buckingham Palace or Royal Hunt Cup in his sights.

This was an eyecatching run on what was his seasonal return ashe is more of a miler. He was badly sandwiched between runners when looking ready to launch a dangerous challenge. He took time to recover from being badly buffeted before finishing off strongly and looks to have come back bigger and better at four. He looks ready to play a big part in the Royal Hunt Cup.

Paper Talk was another to track the pace stands' side and while he was short of room at stages, he was not as badly compromised as Notability, another returning from a long layoff, forced byinjury at York's Royal Ascot meeting. Representing last year's winning trainer, he had been laid out for the race and while this would be eyecatching for the Hunt Cup as well, he will not be risked on fast ground again after last year's injury, so optimism is lessened.

Mine, who was reported to have hung, ran better than the bare form as he came off worst in the barging with Pinpoint, having made a strong move midtrack. The years are starting to catch up with him but if his rating eases further, he must come into calculations for the Hunt Cup, in which he has an outstanding record.

Coleorton Dancer made a brave early bid for glory and took fully two lengths out of the field, but this six-furlong winner was exhausted into the final furlong. A drop in trip should suit on similar ground.

Compton's Eleven was the other to run much better than the bare form as he was buried at the back of the pack and saw no daylight until into the final furlong, where he stayed on nicely.

Zohar was reported to have hung right.(BJ)

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