held up in rear, switched right inside final 2f, headway soon after, ran on to take 2nd entering final furlong, kept on until no extra and well held towards finish
led, ridden and pressed 2f out, soon headed, no chance when lost 2nd entering final furlong, edging right and no extra when lost 3rd final 50 yards
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out
held up, headway and squeezed through 2f out, ridden and went moderate 3rd final 50 yards
with leader, challenged 2f out, soon in lead, ridden final 1f, kept on well
soon pushed along and in touch on outer, ridden and weakened approaching 2f out
chased leaders, pushed along before halfway, weakened quickly over 2f out, tailed off
ROYAL BLOOM is selected ahead of Pintano, Castano and One More Round. James Fanshawe's filly had shown precious little prior to chasing home Pintano in a similar contest at Nottingham but may be able to progress now that she has found some form whilst cheekpieces may help eke out some improvement. She meets Pintano on 6lb better terms before Amy Baker's claim is taken into account although a high draw has been a disadvantage at this track on occasion. Castano's two career wins have come on soft ground so there has to a slight concern if the ground rides fast despite the fact that he has been placed on a number of occasions under such conditions. However, he comes here in form and is at the right level. One More Round has done the majority of his racing on artificial surfaces over the past two seasons and has a little to prove on grass despite a sound enough effort at Bath. It may pay to oppose the prolific veteran but Ridgeway Silver is weighted to go close and needs consideration whilst She Goes Nowhere is related to winners and worth a market check but Royal Bloom gets the vote.
One More Round (USA) 6-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, edged left and some headway over 1f out, went 4th well inside final furlong, never dangerous, 4th of 9, 7l behind Piazza San Pietro (9-1) at Bath 6f clm stks (5) fm.
Pintano 33-1 (9-2) Prominent, chased leader over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven out, won at Nottingham 6f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gd beating Royal Bloom (8-11) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Bluebird Chariot 150-1 (9-6) Always in rear, tailed off, last of 13, well behind Hall Hee (8-12) at Bath 1m mdn stks (5) gd in Aug.
Boldinor 10-1 (8-10) In touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no extra towards finish, 5th of 11, 4l behind Plumage (9-6) at Leicester 6f all hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Dynamo Dave (USA) 33-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, never near leaders, 6th of 10, 8l behind Lady Florence (9-3) at Brighton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) fm.
Royal Bloom (IRE) 8-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden 3f out, headway 2f out, chased winner and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Pintano (9-2) at Nottingham 6f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gd.
Ridgeway Silver 4-1fav (8-7) Mid-division, no impression 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not troubled leaders, 7th of 13, 8l behind Athaakeel (8-6) at Wolverhampton 6f 3yo sell stks (6) pol in Jun.
Brazilian Brush (IRE) 16-1 (9-2) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 8l behind Pintano (9-2) at Nottingham 6f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gd.
Castano 20-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, good headway on inside over 2f out, squeezed through over 1f out, finished strongly, 4th of 14, 1 1/4l behind Global Village (8-13) at Kempton 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol.
Umpa Loompa (IRE) 40-1 (8-7) Hampered start, soon outpaced and behind, 13th of 14, 37l behind Just Spike (8-7) at Leicester 6f hcap (5) gf in Jul '08.
Sally's Swansong 80-1 (8-5) Soon led and crossed stands side rail, headed over 3f out, remained close up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Pintano (9-2) at Nottingham 6f 3yo & 4yo sll (6) gd.
She Goes Nowhere (IRE) Pyrus filly out of Peking Dancer.
