in touch, headway and switched left entering final 2f, chased leaders in 4th and one pace over 1f out, weakened to 5th final 135 yards
chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
chased leaders, pushed along and went 2nd over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, chased leader, led after 2f and soon clear, ridden and reduced lead 3f out, soon headed, chased leaders until weakened inside final 2f
took keen hold, held up in last pair, some late moderate headway, never involved
led 2f, chased clear leader, led again inside final 3f, ridden well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, chased leading pair, no extra in 4th final 100 yards
patiently ridden, held up in rear, smooth headway on outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, led and edged left inside final furlong, soon clear
chased leaders, pushed along inside final 3f, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, steady headway from 3f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on to one paced 3rd final 100 ayrds
James Harding has steered BALMORAL CASTLE to victories in similar races at Goodwood and here on Saturday and a 6lb penalty is unlikely to prevent a hat-trick. Garrisson wasn't too far behind on Saturday and Simon Walker can get him closer and though Choral Festival last won a year ago at Goodwood she's been generally consistent and, as she's only 2lb higher, looks the main threat. Automotive has been going well on Polytrack though is still a maiden after 14 starts but Mazij wins her share and her rider has plenty of success in these races.
Choral Festival 10-1 (9-1) In touch in 5th, headway 2f out, soon switched right to inside, chased winner over 1f out, short of room on innner and switched left inside final furlong, stayed on but not quite going pace to challenge, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Tight Lipped (9-2) at Sandown 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in May.
Capitol Gain (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Chased leaders on outside, ridden 2f out, soon hung right to near side rail and weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 14, 5l behind Balmoral Castle (10-3) at Newbury 1m 2f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gf.
Balmoral Castle 2-1fav (10-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd inside final 2f, led 1f out, hung left inside final furlong stayed on well, won at Newbury 1m 2f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gf beating Whinging Willie (10-2) by 1l, 14 ran.
If I Were A Boy (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on, went 3rd close home, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Jupiter Storm (9-3) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Garrisson (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 7th of 14, 4l behind Balmoral Castle (10-3) at Newbury 1m 2f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gf.
Mazij 8-1 (9-1) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Perfect Cracker (9-2) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in May.
Automotive 16-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on well, 2nd of 13, nk behind City Ground (11-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f am hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Merrjanah 25-1 (9-2) Started slowly, towards rear, steady headway 4f out, ridden inside final 2f, weakened soon after, 10th of 14, 6l behind Balmoral Castle (10-3) at Newbury 1m 2f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gf.
Supa Seeker (USA) 4-1fav (8-11) Held up towards rear, moderate headway inside final furlong, never involved, 8th of 14, 5l behind Chandrayaan (9-5) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Mar.
