chased leaders, ridden to press winner over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
chased winner, ridden 3f out, stayed on one pace
made all, ridden and carried head high 2f out, stayed on
Nonrunner
The short list here contains Royal Proposal, Tiana and Pure Illusion, with the vote going to Royal Proposal. Just beaten when giving Eilean Ban four pounds when last seen on the racecourse at Newmarket last September, Royal Proposal holds leading claims here if fully fit for her return. Tiana has been found out in Listed company but should be more at home at this level and can go well, while last season's May Hill fifth, Pure Illusion, is a possible, although she is the Godolphon second-string on jockey bookings. The other pair, including Air Biscuit who has won her last three races, need to improve a good bit on their form if they are to play leading parts here with, once again, the selection being Royal Proposal.
Air Biscuit (IRE) 9-4fav (9-8) Held up, smooth progress 2f out, led 1f out, ran on, won at Pontefract 1m 2f app hcp (6) gf in Sept beating Royal Master (9-3) by 2l, 11 ran.
Penfection (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 5th of 14, 5l behind Persian Express (7-13) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (3) pol in Sept.
Pure Illusion (IRE) 6-5fav (8-10) Slowly into stride, pulled hard, headway to chase leader after 2f, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 6l behind Nasheej (8-13) at Doncaster 1m fll stk Grp 2 (1) gf in Sept '05.
Royal Proposal 5-6fav (8-12) Keen, in touch, led over 2f out, soon ridden, ran on final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 6, shd behind Eilean Ban (8-8) at Newmarket 7f 2yo fll (3) gf in Sept '05.
Tiana 9-2 (8-12) In rear, headway on inside over 2f out, short of room 2f out, no further impression, 5th of 11, 6l behind Wagtail (8-3) at Ascot 1m lst fll hcp (1) gs in Sept.