chased leaders on outer, went 2nd over 4f out, ridden over 2f out and soon weakened
chased leader to over 4f out, prominent, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
in touch on inside, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards
pulled hard in rear, ridden and no impression final 2f
held up in rear, effort on outer when hung left and looked reluctant entering final furlong, switched right and ran on towards finish
went badly right start and rider unbalanced, held up in rear, good headway on outside over 1f out, ran on to lead final 100 yards
chased leaders, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, ran on but not pace of winner final 100 yards
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened 1f out
dwelt, soon chased leaders, ridden to challenge and hung left from over 1f out, not quicken towards finish
The shortlisted three are Regal Dream, Franksalot and Aastral Magic, with a tentative vote given to Regal Dream. Della Salute has so far been held from her revised mark for winning. Aastral Magic now races from below her winning mark of last summer and, even though she has been beaten from such marks in the past, you cannot rule out a good run. Regal Dream is not far above a winning mark and likes these types of tracks, so could go well, as could A Woman In Love, whose fine form in 2004 included a course and distance win. She has had a recent run and, even though she has been lightly raced since, a good run cannot be ruled out. Premier Fantasy is lightly raced and has shown promise but, in keeping with Hurricane Coast and Big Bradford, lacks persuasive recent form. Coming here on the back of a Windsor claiming win, Franksalot, a course and distance winner, cannot be ruled out, particularly with Robert Winston booked to ride, and Vindication, who is well-weighted on 2003 form, could be given a squeak of a chance. All in all, though, we will stick with Regal Dream.
Della Salute 16-1 (10-13) Slowly away, held up in rear, not clear run over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 6th of 12, 4l behind Corran Ard (11-2) at Sandown 1m hcap (4) gd in Apr.
Aastral Magic 8-1 (9-13) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, driven to go 2nd in final furlong, ran on near finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Kaveri (10-0) at Lingfield 7f fll hcp (4) pol in May.
Regal Dream (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 2f out, 11th of 14, 5l behind Quantum Leap (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcap (5) std in May.
A Woman In Love 16-1 (9-0) Steadied start, pulled hard held up, headway on inside halfway, ridden 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 2l behind Kaveri (10-0) at Lingfield 7f fll hcp (4) pol in May.
Hurricane Coast 20-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden and switched left over 2f out, headway final furlong, no further impression, 3rd of 15, 7l behind Full Victory (8-12) at Chepstow 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in May.
Premier Fantasy 9-2fav (8-6) Always rear, virtually pulled up inside final furlong, 11th of 14, 16l behind Pinchbeck (8-9) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Franksalot (IRE) 5-1 (9-12) Chased stand's side leader, overall leader 2f out, driven and ran on well final furlong, won at Windsor 6f clm (5) gs in May beating The London Gang (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Big Bradford 14-1 (8-11) Chased leaders until weakened over 2f out, 8th of 12, 9l behind General Feeling (9-3) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Vindication 8-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, effort and hung right over 2f out, one pace and no impression over 1f out, 4th of 9, 4l behind Seneschal (9-1) at Kempton 6f hcap (6) pol in May.
