held up, headway when switched left and headway over 1f out, not able to get on terms, not much room towards finish
led early, tracked leader until 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, went 2nd 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ran on
took keen hold, soon led, driven over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, held towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, pressing front pair entering final furlong, held final 75 yards
held up, took keen hold, ridden over 1f out, no headway
ROYAL BIRTH found himself at the back of the field from a high draw at Lingfield last time but picked-up well to chase home the progressive Gracious John and this looks less competitive. Robot Boy was second at Ascot when last seen in action but has to race off a 9lb higher mark back on the all-weather while Udontdodou is upped in class off a higher mark having won over track and trip back in September. Boom The Groom is not badly treated on his return from a lay-off while Compas Scoobie is preferred to Dynamo Walt in this grade and could also go well.
Royal Birth 5-1 (9-4) In touch in rear, ridden over 1f out, ran on to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Gracious John (9-5) at Lingfield 5f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Robot Boy (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Raced towards far side, prominent, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Pettochside (8-13) at Ascot 5f hcp (3) sft in Sep.
Udontdodou 7-2 (9-5) Carried right start, chased leaders, led over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (3) pol in Sep beating Foxy Forever (8-13) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Boom The Groom (IRE) 25-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, outpaced 2f out, soon behind, 11th of 12, 11 3/4l behind Mayleaf Shine (8-7) at Haydock 5f hcp (2) hvy in Sep.
Compas Scoobie 14-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, switched right hung right and stayed on inside final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Gracious John (9-9) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Dynamo Walt (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Close up, pushed along 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 1 1/4l behind Union Rose (9-3) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (4) pol in Dec.