held up, outpaced over 2f out, kept on to take 3rd over 1f out, no chance with first two
behind, 7th into straight, ridden 3f out, stayed on under pressure from over 1f out, never dangerous
tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden and headed just inside final furlong, no extra final 150 yards
slowly away, well in rear, ridden along, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
raced wide, behind, unbalanced, outpaced over 3f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, 2nd over 1f out, rallied to lead just inside final furlong, ran on well
held up 4th, outpaced over 2f out, soon beaten
led until headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Mark Johnston's Royal Island has done little wrong so far in his career and is taken to complete the hat-trick at the main expense of stablemate Adoration and Screwdriver. The selection made an impressive start to his career when making most in testing conditions at Beverley and followed up in good fashion at Newcastle on a faster surface subsequently. There should be plenty more to come over today's longer trip and Royal Island is hard to oppose. Adoration lost no caste in defeat behind the useful Crimson Sun at Doncaster last week and should win races in due course, while Gortumblo has a chance to prove that his debut success at Goodwood was no fluke. However, a 3lb penalty for that may be enough to stop the son of Sri Pekan, as it may for Mick Channon's Salisbury winner Obe Gold. Of more interest then may be the Richard Hannon-trained Screwdriver, who is entitled to step up on his debut second behind Iceman at Newbury. Island Royal sets a decent standard though and it will take a good one to beat him.
