slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd close home, nearest finish
led until well over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
always prominent, led well over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on, driven out
prominent, ridden well over 1f out, kept on, lost 2nd close home
Scandal Keeper and Nudrah both showed promise first time out and have to be respected but preference is for Loyal Royal, who has run to a decent standard on both starts so far and gets the vote. The selection was narrowly beaten on his Salisbury debut and lost no caste in defeat when a length second behind Bonnie Prince Blue, a winner again since, at Newbury last time. A reproduction of that effort may suffice. Richard Hannon's Royal Applause colt Pantomime Prince and Andrew Balding's Theatre Royal, who is by the same sire, both warrant respect first time out but would need to be useful and of more interest is Scandal Keeper. Godolphin's two-year-olds have tended to improve for their first start so the likelihood is that the son of Danzig will step up on his debut effort. Nudrah did little wrong when just behind the selection at Newbury last time and has to be respected but Loyal Royal strictly has the beating of her on running that day and is taken to gain a deserved first success.
Pantomime Prince Royal Applause gelding, half-brother to numerous winners on the flat and over hurdles including useful sprinter Ringmoor Down.
Fratt'n Park (IRE) 16-1 (8-2) In touch, ridden and not much room over 1f out, badly hampered just inside final furlong, not recover, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Stormy Monday (8-4) at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gs in Aug.
Miss Redactive 66-1 (8-11) Started slowly, never a factor, 11th of 15, 9l behind Mostaqeleh (8-11) at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn fll (4) gf in Aug.
Nudrah 12-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, led 1f out, edged left and headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Bonnie Prince Blue (9-0) at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Jul.
Theatre Royal Royal Applause filly out of middle-distance winner Rada's Daughter.
Scandal Keeper (USA) 4-1 (9-0) Close up, ridden and led 1f out, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Tell (9-0) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Aug.
Loyal Royal (IRE) 4-5fav (9-0) Slowly into stride, raced keenly, tracked leaders, challenged from over 1f out, led briefly inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Bonnie Prince Blue (9-0) at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs in Jul.