EASTWARD HO has improved significantly since landing a Class 6 handicap at Wolverhampton last December, having obliged three times subsequently. He delivered a career-best effort when third at Ripon last time behind Lockantanks, a run that suggested his improvement has yet to plateau, so he should go well here off an unchanged mark. Rex Romanorum enjoyed the soft ground when scoring decisively at Pontefract and is up 6lb for that victory. The Holy Roman Emperor gelding looks an improver and should get involved against more experienced handicappers. Copperwood has landed three successes since joining Mark Johnston this year and another bold effort is anticipated, with Regal Swain and Master Of Dance others worthy of note.
King Of Windsor (IRE) 7-2fav (10-0) Held up mid-division on inner, not much room over 3f out, headway and ridden over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Uncle Brit (8-9) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Copperwood 16-1 (9-4) Raced centre overall leader, made all, merged with stands' side 3f out, ridden 2f out, ran on gamely, won at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul beating McCool Bannanas (8-9) by nk, 10 ran.
Regal Swain (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Led until over 2f out, soon one pace, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Commend (9-3) at Carlisle 1m 1f mdn stks (5) gd in Jul.
Northern Fling 33-1 (9-6) Raced far side, always behind, 19th of 24, 14l behind Redvers (10-1) at Ascot 7f ladys hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Master Of Dance (IRE) 4-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, effort on outside 3f out, ridden 2f out, went 2nd annd edged left over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Uncle Brit (9-0) at Ayr 1m hcp 0-65 (6) sft in Jul.
Eastward Ho 7-2fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, hard ridden over 2f out, soon every chance, no extra final furlong, 3rd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Lockantanks (9-9) at Ripon 1m hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
Rex Romanorum (IRE) 11-8fav (9-7) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Jul beating Elijah Pepper (10-0) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Collateral Damage (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 9th of 13, 6l behind Last Destination (8-9) at Beverley 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Spavento (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway on outer over 2f out, no extra towards finish, 5th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Uncle Brit (8-9) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Sabratha (IRE) 7-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened over 2f out, 5th of 6, 22l behind Ballista (10-0) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jul.
High Resolution 12-1 (8-10) Always behind, 9th of 10, 7l behind Uncle Brit (8-9) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Jul.
Flipping 9-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 9l behind Chosen Character (9-6) at Haydock 1m app hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Layla's King 4-1fav (9-3) Held up, ridden on outside 3f out, hung right and no progress over 2f out, 6th of 10, 18l behind Woop Woop (8-13) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Bold Marc (IRE) 11-2 (8-8) Raced wide, chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 9, 12l behind Flying Pickets (8-7) at Southwell 7f clm stks 0-75 (6) fbs in Jul.
Above Standard (IRE) 25-1 (9-6) Behind, outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 12, 34l behind Tamareen (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
