steadied start and held up, headway over 3f out, effort over 2f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, ran on final furlong
looked prominent, ridden along over 2f out, weakened final furlong
always rear division
held up, headway 3f out, led over 2f out, driven and kept on final furlong
prominent, pushed along over 5f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, pushed along over 5f out, weakened and virtually pulled up 3f out
held up, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent, ridden along over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
towards rear, some late headway, but never reached challenging position
towards rear, headway over 3f out, was one pace final 2f out
towards rear, never dangerous
soon led, was ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden along over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, was one pace final furlong
Nonrunner
Royal Flynn, Roman History and Elopement catch the eye here and Royal Flynn is taken to defy top weight and score again. Roman History showed progressive form to score at Redcar and Ayr last season and he looks capable of further improvement. He may need his first run of the campaign, and the ground may be too testing. Elopement has a seven pound turnaround in the weights for a three and a half length beating by Royal Flynn in October, and he has shown good form this campaign, winning a small race at Bath before showing good form off a higher mark. He can go well. Royal Flynn is an admirably progressive type, and relishes soft ground. Having shaped well to be third on his re-appearance, he justified favouritism in fine style last time over this course and distance. He has gone up six pounds in the ratings but Royal Flynn can underline his consistency and score in successive races over this course and distance.
Royal Flynn 3-1fav (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, led towards finish, won at Newcastle 1m 2f hcap (6) gf in May beating Shiitake (9-1) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
Tour d'Amour (IRE) 9-2 (8-4) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, kept going one pace, 4th of 7, 2l behind Flylowflylong (8-1) at Hamilton 1m fll hcp (4) gd in May.
Turn Of Phrase (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) In touch, ridden 2f out, one pace, 7th of 17, 7l behind Dium Mac (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Oct.
Best Of The Lot (USA) 6-1 (9-5) In touch, went 2nd over 8f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 15l behind York Cliff (8-11) at Ayr 1m 7f hcap (6) gs in May.
Roman History (IRE) 15-2 (8-7) Always prominent, led over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, held on, won at Redcar 1m 2f sll hcp (6) gf in Sept beating Agilete (9-1) by a nk, 16 ran.
Elopement (IRE) 6-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, switched right and kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3l behind Kingscape (9-4) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcap (6) gd in May.
Rotuma (IRE) 15-2 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed towards finish, no extra, 6th of 17, 2 1/2l behind Royal Flynn (9-2) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcap (6) gf in May.
Thornaby Green 9-1 (8-13) Led over 7f out, headed over 4f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 6l behind Kilimandscharo (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Dec.
