The Ryan Balfour-trained five-year-old gelding Balf’s Choice put up a promising effort in winning here, his seventh win (from 23 starts) and his first at stakes level. He was smartly away and soon crossed to the front. He then travelled well, at a steady tempo before William Pike dashed him clear at the 200m. He then went on to score comfortably, handling the Soft 6 track well. Equal favourite Brown Ben raced back in eighth place on the rails, got along the inner nearing the 200m, went to second at the 100m and battled on to hold that position to the post, without looking likely to trouble the winner. Jim’s Journey was fifth on the rails, got to fourth at the 200m and then battled on to take the minor placing while the other equal favourite Lord Aspen was a handy fourth until nearing the home turn but disappointed in the affected condition, weakening to finish ninth.