Chris Waller-trained colt Pembroke Castle, who raced well without winning in three prior starts, scored his first win here. He settled nicely in third place, behind a slow tempo, moved up well coming to the home turn, hit the front at the 200m and kept fighting back to win well. John Thompson-trained gelding Commander went to the front and after setting a steady pace, kept fighting back nicely for a close second, doing quite well at only his second race start. David Payne-trained colt Tarka raced in fourth place, on the rails, and kept battling on well (under riding) on the inner in the straight for a sound third on debut. Bring Me Showers fought well for a close up fourth while the favourite, the Lindsay Park-trained Mickey Blue Eyes settled back in seventh place from a wide barrier (wide with cover). He went deepest of all at the home turn and then kept making late ground for fourth, beaten less than a length, after being disadvantaged by the steady early pace.