raced wide, held up, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on well towards finish
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
narrow lead, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened final furlong
with leaders, ridden to challenge and hung left and bumped runner up 1f out, soon chasing leader, ran on to lead final strides
raced on inside, held up, headway 2f out, led and bumped 1f out, found no extra near finish and caught final strides
with leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
A chance is taken with Regal Dream who is on a winning mark and can defy top weight in this company, while it would also be dangerous to rule out bold attempts from Hadath and Silent Storm in wide open contest like this. It would also be folly to write off Banjo Bay, who had a legitimate excuse for finishing down the field at Newbury last week and could easily bounce back if he gets the breaks in running this time. However, it is over three years since he defied a mark as high as his current rating and he looks to be in the grip of the assessor at present. Silent Storm - a one-time inmate of Henry Cecil's - has been consistent over the years and, as this is his level, he can be considered as a danger to them all. His latest effort proved that he still has enthusiasm to race and it will come as no surprise to see him involved in the thick of the action. Hadath also fits a similar profile and, having won well here last time, he cannot be ruled out from just a 4lb higher mark. However, Regal Dream loves to weave his way around this idiosyncratic course and he is fancied to be wily enough to have enough in reserve to hold on when it really matters.
Regal Dream (IRE) 11-1 (9-13) Held up in rear, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Norcroft (9-7) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Silent Storm 7-2 (9-9) Pulled hard close up, ridden 2f out, kept on, not pace to challenge, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Border Artist (9-1) at Yarmouth 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
What-A-Dancer (IRE) 9-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 7th of 13, 4l behind James Street (9-2) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Cool Sting (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Chased leaders in 4th, went 3rd 1f out, soon edged left and one pace, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Secret Liaison (9-13) at Brighton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) frm.
Vindication 5-1 (9-3) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 8l behind Norcroft (9-7) at Yarmouth 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Riolo (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, outpaced over 4f out, ridden, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 15, 5l behind Great Belief (9-7) at Yarmouth 6f mdn hcp (6) gf.
Hadath (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Held up in touch, good headway on inside rail over 3f out, led inside final 2f, idled near finish, just held on, won at Brighton 1m app hcp (6) frm beating Diamond Dan (9-7) by a shd, 9 ran.
Miss Madame (IRE) 5-1 (8-9) Led after 1f, hung right over 2f out, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Toffee Vodka (9-7) at Brighton 7f fll hcp (5) frm.
Banjo Bay (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden when hampered and bumped 2f out, no chance afterwards, 14th of 15, 8l behind Zazous (8-2) at Newbury 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
