Royal Flynn is in the form of his life and can record his fourth win in his last five starts at the main expense of Advancement. The key to Michael Dods' gelding's excellent recent form appears to have been the heavy ground that he has been running on. He gets those favoured conditions once again and this doesn't look the strongest of races, so, despite extra weight on his back, he can be followed again. Ermine Grey won well last time out but a 6lb penalty makes life tougher considering he only just scraped home, whilst Advancement showed a lot more when second behind the selection and with a pull in the weights should be the main danger. At a price Strava could run into a place, however Royal Flynn is on a role and can win again.
Royal Flynn 3-1fav (9-6) Held up, headway over 2f out, soon edged left, stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Haydock 1m 3f hcap (5) hvy beating Great View (9-9) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Punta Galera (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Lucayan Dancer (9-6) at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
Advancement 14-1 (9-2) Always prominent, ridden and effort over 1f out, stayed on well towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Royal Flynn (9-7) at Beverley 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) hvy.
Latif (USA) 16-1 (8-9) Slowly away, in rear, effort 3f out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 11l behind Torrens (9-0) at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Stravara 14-1 (8-2) Held up, not clear run 2f out, headway entering final furlong, finished well, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Lucayan Dancer (9-6) at Chester 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) sft.
Topflight Wildbird 17-2 (9-2) Held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Red Chairman (8-9) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcap (5) gs.
Ermine Grey 6-1 (8-5) Mid-division and keen, headway over 2f out and ridden, led over 1f out, all out, won at Haydock 1m hcap (6) hvy beating Apache Nation (9-2) by a hd, 10 ran.
Bollin Thomas 40-1 (8-7) Held up, always behind, 7th of 8, 32l behind Bogside Theatre (8-8) at Hamilton 1m 5f hcap (4) gs.
