tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong
slowly into stride, came wide into home straight and stayed on
mid-division, effort and headway 3f out, kept on, not reach leaders
in touch, ridden and kept on to chase clear winner inside final furlong
broke well, made all, ran on
towards rear, stayed on from over 1f out
mid-division, edged left over 4f out, effort when hampered 2f out, kept on
outpaced, stayed on towards finish
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, clipped heals over 4f out and slightly hampered, keeping on, not clear run final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner halfway, weakened quickly approaching final furlong
This is a competitive handicap to open the card and preference is for Royal Envoy over Methaaly and Doubtful Sound. The selection arrives here in good form having won well last time out when he beat Divinsky at Kempton. He is well drawn in stall 2 and he looks a solid bet to go in again. Methaaly was well beaten on the turf at Warwick last time but he loves it round here and the return to this venue could see him once again competitive. John Harris's 4-year-old Doubtful Sound has been running well of late over the minimum trip, but he was won over this course and distance and he arrives here in good form having won a claimer last time out. He has more on his plate today but he should be capable of running into a place. Obe Royal is not easy to win with but he does have ability and from a fair draw he is another worth considering. However, we prefer the claims of Royal Envoy who is taken to lead them home.
Bobby Rose 20-1 (9-0) In touch, effort 2f out, no extra 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Diriculous (8-8) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Obe Royal 9-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 2l behind Sands Crooner (8-12) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Royal Challenge 6-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, ridden well over 1f out, soon beaten, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Methaaly (8-1) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Doubtful Sound (USA) 6-4fav (9-8) With leader, ridden over 1f out led inside final furlong ran on, won at W'hampton 5f clm (5) pol beating Grimes Faith (9-10) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Hammer of The Gods (IRE) 13-2 (9-1) Tracked leader, every chance over 1f out, no extra, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 4l behind Guilded Warrior (8-13) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in May.
Star Strider 5-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, no extra and weakening when chased leader inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Dvinsky (9-2) at Kempton 6f hcap (5) pol in Feb.
Methaaly (IRE) 8-1 (8-5) Prominent on outer, every chance 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 11th of 12, 12l behind After The Show (8-4) at Warwick 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gs.
Sun Catcher (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Behind, ridden 2f out, stayed on steadily from over 1f out, nearest finish, 6th of 11, 5l behind Royal Envoy (8-7) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Tag Team (IRE) 6-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden halfway, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 8, 7l behind Savile's Delight (8-6) at Southwell 5f hcap (5) fbs in Feb.
Royal Envoy (IRE) 4-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Dvinsky (9-4) by 1l, 11 ran.
Hamaasy 11-1 (8-6) Chased leaders stand's side, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 13th of 17, 7l behind Miacarla (8-3) at Thirsk 5f hcap (6) gf in Sept.
