slowly into stride, always behind
took keen hold, mid-division when hampered on inside 5f out, pushed along one pace and no impression final 2f
tracked leading trio, headway to track leader going well over 1f out, soon challenging, ridden and stayed on under pressure to lead final 100 yards
steadied start, always behind
pushed along halfway, always in rear
bumped start, chased leading pair, 2nd 3f out, led 2f out, stayed on under pressure until headed and no extra final 100 yards
went left start, took keen hold, held up towards rear, hampered 5f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on, not pace to get competitive
led until over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
steadied start, held up towards rear, hampered just over 5f out, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on to 3rd inside final furlong, no impression on leading duo
tracked leader, hampered 5f out, lost 2nd 3f out, soon driven along, weakened over 2f out
bumped start, held up in 5th, weakened over 1f out
always towards rear
In the last three years it's paid to focus on the head of the weights in this contest and we'll do so by selecting ROYAL EXCHANGE to provide Richard Hannon with yet another juvenile winner at the expense of Memen and Diamond Geezah. Our selection finished ahead of Paul Cole's runner Memen when the pair made their debuts at Newbury in the spring. He then disappointed odds-on backers at Haydock before getting off the mark at Salisbury, in the process suggesting this step up to 7f would suit. Memen can't be ruled out having progressed since as he was undeniably impressive at Newmarket last time. However, this has the look of a more competitive event and he's 10lbs higher, while on that Newbury form he shouldn't be able to give Royal Exchange weight and a beating. Diamond Geezah caught the eye in the Brockelsby on his first start back in March but then proved disappointing, until finally off the mark at Ayr recently. That will have done him good and this Barry Hills-trained individual has always been well regarded. Major Conquest beat a subsequent winner trained by Hannon when losing his maiden tag and then did well to win a warm-looking nursery at Ascot. He's had his rating adjusted to the tune of 5lbs here but can't be discounted with further progress likely, especially as he's the only one of these with experience of the track having gone close in a good maiden here earlier on this term. Ryan Moore's booking aboard Silence Is Bliss is interesting and this horse wasn't beaten far in the Super Sprint but he had very little weight and will need to improve, stablemate Sir Lunchalott will relish the step up in distance but looks to lack a touch of class while Philharmonic Hall races from out of the weights. Mick Channon saddles three in his bid to land the race but the pick, Alfraamsey, will struggle to beat Memen and Royal Exchange on these terms on a line through Klammer, and it's the Hannon horse for us once more.
Memen (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) In rear, headway over 1f out, switched right and quickened to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo hcp (2) gf beating Amwell Pinot (9-0) by 2l, 10 ran.
Bathwick Bear (IRE) 66-1 (8-8) Outpaced and always rear division, 16th of 24, 13l behind Temple Meads (8-6) at Newbury 5f 2yo aut (2) gd.
Royal Exchange 8-11fav (9-3) Keen early, settled in mid-division on inside, steady headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, 2nd inside final furlong, nudged into lead last strides, won at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Jun beating Midnight Feast (9-3) by shd, 14 ran.
Major Conquest (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Went right start, in rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, led and hung left approaching 1f out, ridden out, won at Ascot 6f 2yo hcp (4) gf beating Royal Opera (8-5) by nk, 9 ran.
Silence Is Bliss (IRE) 50-1 (8-1) Towards rear far side, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 9th of 24, 5l behind Temple Meads (8-6) at Newbury 5f 2yo aut (2) gd.
Diamond Geezah (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) Always prominent, went 2nd over 4f out, led over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on, won at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd beating Next Edition (9-3) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Falkland Flyer (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Led, headed 4f out, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 6, 15l behind Slim Shadey (9-0) at Ascot 6f 2yo nov stk (4) gf.
Sir Lunchalott 3-1 (9-0) Chased leading pair, early reminders, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead when wandered inside final furlong, stayed on under pressure, just held on, won at Thirsk 5f 2yo mdn aut (5) gd in May beating Tilliemint (8-12) by nk, 7 ran.
Singapore Lilly (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Held up in 7th, ridden and no impression when hung right from over 2f out, 7th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Lily Again (8-12) at Sandown 7f 2yo fll Listed stks (1) gf.
Alfraamsey 9-2 (9-7) Steadied start, took keen hold, held up, ridden and no progress over 1f out, 5th of 6, 5l behind Miss Dutee (8-5) at Lingfield 6f 2yo hcp (5) gf.
Silken Thoughts 16-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden inside final 2f, 3rd and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 14, 9l behind Major Art (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf.
Philharmonic Hall 9-2 (8-9) In touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Alaskan Spirit (8-13) at Carlisle 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf.
