always close up, pushed along and every chance 2f out, ridden and one pace final furlong
held up last, pushed along and headway on outside well over 1f out, ridden and went 2nd well inside final furlong, stayed on, not reach eased winner
set modest pace, headed over 8f out, pushed along 2f out, one pace final furlong
ran in snatches, soon in touch, reminders 3f out, hard ridden and outpaced well over 1f out, soon hung left, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up, short-lived effort on inside well over 1f out
prominent, led over 8f out, pushed along well over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, eased close home
The veteran Angel Gabrial had his day of glory five years ago today when landing the Northumberland Plate. Amazingly he's only won once subsequently, at Ripon earlier this month, and was beaten at Redcar last week off 2lb lower than here. Ian Williams is having a superb season and has acquired NOBLE BEHEST from Robert Stephens. The five-year-old won his last five starts in 2017/18 including dead-heating at Chelmsford in January last year. He's on the same mark here and if his new trainer has him ready he can complete a six-timer. Iconic Belle keeps finding one too good on the Flat and over hurdles but is only 1lb higher than her last victory on the level though Red Royalist looks the main threat as he's won his last two over timber. Charlie D won on very fast ground at Chepstow last month and was probably feeling the effects when running poorly here two days later.
Iconic Belle 33-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Makawee (9-11) at Wetherby 1m 6f hcp fll (4) gf in May.
Red Royalist 1-10fav (11-5) Made all, soon clear, reduced lead after 3rd, clear again when hit 3 out and 2 out, not fluent last, heavily eased run-in, unchallenged, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f (4) gd in Jun beating Likeamonkey (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
Noble Behest 6-4fav (9-1) Tracked leader, shaken up 4f out, driven 2f out, stayed on, challenged towards finish, joined leader on line, won at Chelmsford City 2m hcp (4) pol in Jan beating Vettori Rules (10-0), 6 ran.
Charlie D (USA) 10-1 (9-7) Held up, niggled along over 4f out, behind final 3f, 7th of 9, 11 1/4l behind Gabrial The One (8-3) at Chester 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in May.
Ebqaa (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden and struggling over 3f out, 7th of 11, 10 1/4l behind Joie De Vivre (9-13) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp fll (5) sft in Jun.
Angel Gabrial (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Soon 2nd, led over 2f out, headed narrowly over 1f out, stayed on, held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Nearly There (8-13) at Redcar 1m 6f hcp (6) gd in Jun.
