chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
led early, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, kept on
with leader, soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened 1f out, eased inside final furlong
held up in touch, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, held towards finish
Royal Warrior's victory at Brighton two weeks ago came again lesser opposition and it will be surprise if he's good enough to follow up off a 4lb higher mark. STRATEGIC FORCE had Meritocracy behind when a close third at Newmarket last month and can confirm running with the top weight, despite revised terms. That looks the best recent form on offer, though Souville should improve on her second at Nottingham and can't be ignored. Peak Royale is also likely to strip fitter today.
Meritocracy (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 12, 13l behind Eastern Impact (8-11) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in May.
Strategic Force (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) Tracked winner, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Nova Champ (8-2) at Newmarket 6f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gf in May.
Souville 16-1 (9-7) Raced centre close up, headway and edged right over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 15, nk behind Captain Myles (9-6) at Nottingham 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in May.
Royal Warrior 16-1 (9-2) Made virtually all, driven over 2f out, hard pressed over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Brighton 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in May beating Three Cliffs (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Peak Royale 3-1 (9-5) Dwelt soon prominent, ridden over 2f out, faded final furlong, 5th of 8, 9l behind Extremity (9-6) at Leicester 7f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf in May.
Flying Bear (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Outpaced and always towards rear, never involved, 13th of 19, 20l behind G Force (9-4) at York 5f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd in May.