made all, ridden out
keen tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, no impression final furlong
close up in rear, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders
dwelt keen tacked leaders, ridden 2f out, faded inside final furlong
pressed winner, ridden halfway, every chance from over 1f out, no extra towards finish
Both Flying Bear and Arctic Lynx scored over track and trip on their penultimate starts but failed to cope with a rise in the weights last time. The latter only beat Sir Billy Wright by a neck and David Evans' charge re-opposes on better terms. Foxy Forever remains out of sorts and ROYAL ACQUISITION was well beaten in better company last time. But Bob Cowell's sprinter had earlier gone close in this grade at Lingfield so gets a tentative vote to go one better in this.
Foxy Forever (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Held up behind, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 9th of 10, 6l behind Dutiful Son (9-0) at Chelmsford City 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Flying Bear (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Signore Piccolo (9-4) at Ripon 5f app hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Apr.
Arctic Lynx (IRE) 5-2fav (9-10) Off the pace in 4th, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd close home, nearest finish, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Saved My Bacon (8-7) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Apr.
Royal Acquisition 9-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, last of 7, 6l behind Red Baron (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-90 (3) in Apr.
Sir Billy Wright (IRE) 8-1 (8-6) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on well, 5th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Distant Past (9-3) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.