with leaders, led halfway, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, keeping on one pace when hampered near finish
went right start, in rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, led and hung left approaching 1f out, ridden out
dwelt, in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on to go 4th post
towards rear, ridden and weakened over 1f out
with leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace
in rear, pushed along halway, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
led, headed halfway, headed halfway, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakening when short of room 1f out
in rear, ridden and headway approaching 1f out, ran on to go 2nd near finish
in touch, headway to have every chance over 1f out, soon hung left and stayed on
ROJO BOY looks to have got in lightly here and can make the most of weight received from the likes of Capaill Liath and Major Conquest. Andrew Balding's charge is best assessed on his two runs over six furlongs at York, with five furlongs clearly inadequate, and those efforts offer hope that a mark of 76 is generous. Both times he's been behind Sir Reginald, a smart performer in the making, and the first time the pair were behind subsequent Coventry Stakes second Elzaam. That arguably represents the strongest form in this contest and we're hopeful he can get off the mark here. Capaill Liath impressed when winning at Windsor and appears reliant on the fast ground likely here; there should be more to come from him but he's hard to assess with the form of that race yet to be truly tested. Major Conquest took fourth in what's turned out to be a hot Goodwood maiden, with subsequent winners in front and behind, so again his form looks strong. On debut though he'd finished a long way behind Coventry winner Strong Suit and on that bare form should've be beating Rojo Boy at these weights. Silver Alliance looks the type to continue progressing but the drop down to six furlongs may not be ideal, Saucy Buck looks nicely weighted on his second to Zebedee but hasn't repeated that effort whilst Silly Billy needed dropping to a seller to get off the mark and will surely find this tough. As ever at this time of year nurseries are hard to work out but in Rojo Boy we look to have sided with a well-treated animal.
Capaill Liath (IRE) 10-11fav (8-11) Made all, in command when edged left over 1f out, ran on strongly, eased near finish, won at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jun beating With Hindsight (9-2) by 4l, 13 ran.
Major Conquest (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong to lead final 75 yards, won at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn (2) gf in Jun beating Jaahiz (9-3) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Whoateallthepius (IRE) 4-5fav (8-9) Tracked leader and keen, ridden over 1f out, no extra and eased inside final furlong, last of 3, 6l behind Dffar (9-0) at Doncaster 7f 2yo nov stk (3) gd in Jun.
Saucy Buck (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) In rear, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 11l behind Premier Clarets (8-10) at Pontefract 6f 2yo stks (2) gf in Jun.
Silver Alliance 12-1 (9-3) Chased leader, led over 1f out, ridden and strongly pressed final furlong, stayed on gamely towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Jun beating Hokoumah (9-3) by nk, 12 ran.
Rojo Boy 13-2 (9-3) Mid-division, under pressure halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, never reached winner, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Sir Reginald (9-3) at York 6f 2yo mdn (3) gd in Jun.
Rosina Grey 22-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 5l behind Marlinka (8-12) at Windsor 5f 2yo fll stks (2) gf in Jun.
Royal Opera 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and edged right over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 4th of 9, 12l behind Sheer Courage (9-3) at Leicester 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in May.
Silly Billy (IRE) 11-1 (8-11) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, strongly challenged entering final furlong, kept on gamely under pressure, won at Leicester 6f 2yo sll (6) gf beating Lord Of The Storm (8-8) by nk, 9 ran.
