Le Roi settled nicely in fourth place, travelling well behind a very steady pace (1st 2000m 2:08.74). He moved up on turning for home, challenged at the 300m and after quite a battle, fought on gamely to score by a long neck. Prince Of Penzance raced kindly in seventh place on the rails most of the way to the home turn. He improved between runners on straightening, switched across heels at the 300m and fought on well in the sprint home for second. Big Memory led the field, setting a moderate tempo to the 600m. He picked up the pace nearing the turn and fought back quite well for third. The favourite Noble Protector raced outside the leader Big Memory, challenged that horse on turning for home but just battled from the 200m to finish (2.7 lengths) fourth, looking tested by the 2600m distance