keen hold, tracked leaders in 4th, ridden to dispute 3rd place over 1f out, soon one pace
slowly into stride and always behind
took keen hold early, tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, led 2f out, in command final furlong, driven out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, shaken up on inside and kept on steadily final furlong, never near leaders
keen hold early, ran green in mid-division, pushed along 3f out, soon outpaced
mid-division, ridden and hanging right from 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong
mid-division, pushed along on outer 3f out, kept on final furlong, never reached challenging position
behind, some headway final furlong, never in contention
slowly into stride, behind, hanging right and no chance final 2f
tracked leader, ridden to challenge 2f out, chased winner under pressure after, no impression final furlong
led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon weakened
Regal Flush can open his account at the expense of Hunting Tower, Big Robert and newcomer Celtic Step. Some promising sorts line up here, and indeed Sir Michael Stoute is responsible for two challengers, with Berkeley Castle joining Regal Flush in the line-up. It is the latter that caught the eye more on his debut at Newbury last month though, as he was not punished when his chance had gone behind Aqmaar, coasting home in fourth place. The subject of good support in the ring beforehand, he is strongly fancied to get losses back under Frankie Dettori. Hunting Tower shaped well on his Leicester bow, holding a prominent position until near the finish, and he should also be in the shake-up, with an extra furlong to help. Big Robert belied his 20-1 starting price when just touched off at Ascot, but the form may not be anything out of the ordinary. Nevertheless, he will have no trouble landing a maiden in due course. Mark Johnston sends down newcomer Celtic Step, a 100,000gns son of Selkirk who could be anything, so the market may reveal whether he is fancied or not. However, Regal Flush holds a host of Group entries, including next year's Vodafone Derby, and can start to fulfil his potential here.
Altar (IRE) 4-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride and held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 6th of 11, 9l behind Dubai Magic (9-0) at Salisbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Berkeley Castle (USA) 15-2 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 11th of 14, 13l behind Hanging On (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd.
Big Robert 20-1 (9-3) Slowly away, headway over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 10, nk behind One To Follow (9-3) at Ascot 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Jul.
Celtic Step Selkirk colt out of 1m2f & 1m4f winner Inchiri.
Hunting Tower 16-1 (9-3) Held up, headway halfway, ridden and stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Soviet Palace (9-3) at Leicester 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jun.
Raglan Copenhagen Lahib colt, half-brother to winners up to 6f.
Regal Flush 3-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression until stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 17, 2l behind Aqmaar (9-3) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jul.
Lady Chastity 50-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, some late headway, never dangerous, 4th of 6, 9l behind Fanlight Fanny (9-0) at Chepstow 5f fll mdn (5) gf.
