chased leaders, until ridden and weakened from 2f out
raced in 5th on outside, ridden and beaten over 2f out
held up, pushed along 3f out, no impression, when lost action, and heavily eased over 1f out
raced wide in 6th, effort on wide outside over 2f out, soon beaten
keen hold, chased leaders, ridden to challenge, and every chance inside final furlong, readily held final hundred yards
chased leader, disputing lead, when rider dropped rein inside final 2f out, stayed challenging, until outpaced final furlong
made virtually all, ridden over 2f out, hard-pressed from inside final 2f, kept on gamely under pressure, on top final hundred yards
held up well in rear, ran on final furlong, never nearer
This is another fascinating handicap, and George Stubbs gets a tentative vote to see off Master Robbie, Royal Storm and Concubine. The latter has finished second on her last two starts, most recently going down by just a neck at Goodwood, and she seems sure to go close off just a pound higher mark. Master Robbie has had a busy year so far, but has been running very well in the main. He found life a little tough at Royal Ascot last time but had earlier beaten Royal Storm by half a length at Warwick and reopposes on two pounds worse terms here. Royal Storm finished ahead of him at Ascot and there should again be little between them here. However, we just prefer to side with Nick Littmoden's runner, George Stubbs. He reacted well to the application of first time blinkers when third at Beverley recently, his best effort this season, and is now a pound lower than when winning at Ripon last year. He looks good enough to win off his current mark and we'll take a chance that today's the day for George Stubbs.
