took keen hold early, settled tracking leaders, effort between horses going well when bumped over 1f out, soon challenging, ridden and ran on to lead well inside final furlong
started slowly and went left start, soon close up on outside, headway and went right over 1f out, every chance until outpaced inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden along halfway, soon outpaced, no chance after
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
with leader, ridden 2f out, every chance when bumped over 1f out, weakened soon after
slight lead, ridden and pressed over 1f out, kept on, headed well inside final furlong
Disappointingly just the six runners line up for this maiden with three of them seeing a racecourse for the first time including Tom Dascombe's Majestic Missile colt Ballista and Kevin Ryan's Countrywide Flame, who both represent yards that can get one ready first time up but this is likely to go to one with experience and it is hard to get away from ROYAL EXCHANGE. Richard Hannon has done little wrong with his juveniles this term and the son of Royal Applause made a pleasing debut when finding Jane Chapple-Hyam's Klammer just a head too good at Newbury last month, a reproduction of that form should see him go one better today. Eric Alston's Barkston Ash, who is speedily bred, is the other newcomer in the field and has to be considered, while Bussa needs to improve on the form shown on his debut at Salisbury to take a hand. Love Club has given no sign of encouragement so far and it is hard to oppose Royal Exchange, who can gain compensation for his narrow defeat at Newbury.
Ballista (IRE) Majestic Missile colt out of Ancient Secret.
Barkston Ash Kyllachy colt out of Ae Kae Ae.
Bussa 25-1 (8-12) Pushed along and outpaced towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 11l behind Dinkum Diamond (9-3) at Salisbury 5f 2yo mdn (4) gf.
Countrywide Flame Haafhd colt out of Third Party.
Love Club 150-1 (8-12) Tracked winner, driven and lost place 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 11l behind Julius Geezer (8-12) at Chester 5f 2yo stks (2) gd.
Royal Exchange 9-4fav (9-3) With leaders, led 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, just out stayed and headed final strides, 2nd of 8, hd behind Klammer (9-3) at Newbury 5f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Apr.