went right start, always behind
keen hold, tracked leader to 2f out, weakened over 1f out
uneasy in stalls, tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, unable to quicken final furlong
in touch, smooth headway to track leader on bit 2f out, led over 1f out, soon clear, comfortably
towards rear, reminder over 6f out, headway, soon chasing leaders, wide, ridden early straight, weakened approaching final furlong
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ran on inside final furlong
mid-division, effort on outer over 2f out, driven, stayed on inside final furlong
mid-division, switched to rail 3f out, ran on steadily, under hand riding final 2f
led, headed over 1f out, not paced of winner inside final furlong, clear of rest
in touch, ridden, weakened early straight
The short list contains Royal Rationale, Snake's Head and River Hunter, with the selection being Royal Rationale. Royal Rationale, whose rating stands at 79, has shown enough, including when running second to Imply at Wolverhampton last time, to be suggested as the benchmark to the form of this contest. He should be able to run well here, as should Snake's Head, whose Folkestone second last time has earned her a rating of 75. The newcomers that catch the eye are Anna Towkaska and Sylvester Kirk's 58,000 euros son of Desert Prince, River Hunter, while Natural Action showed enough from run one to two to be given some thought in what is a run-of-the-mill maiden race. Finally, it would be no surprise to find that Serhaaphim is better than he has so far shown but, for the selection, we will stick with Royal Rationale.
Simpleton 33-1 (9-8) Slowly into stride, held up, progressed to chase leaders over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 18l behind Thabaat (8-11) at Folkestone 7f mdn stk (5) gd in Apr.
Natural Action 25-1 (8-13) Towards rear, not much room over 2f out, not clear run well over 1f out, switched left and headway final furlong, ran on, nearest finish, 4th of 13, 5l behind Imply (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol.
Royal Rationale (IRE) 2-1fav (8-13) Raced keenly, soon settled into mid-division, headway when not clear run over 2f out, chased winner 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Imply (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol.
Anna Towkaska Polish Precedent filly, half-sister to winners from 1m1f-1m6f including the useful Stotsfold.
Razzano (IRE) 11-2 (8-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Mick Is Back (8-9) at W'hampton 7f 3yo sll (6) pol in Mar.
River Hunter (IRE) Desert Prince filly, half-sister to winning jumper Cirque Fernando.
Serhaaphim 11-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 4th of 8, 8l behind Secret Tune (9-3) at Newcastle 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (6) gs.
Snake's Head 11-10fav (8-4) Led at decent pace, driven and stayed on final furlong, caught final strides, 2nd of 5, hd behind Noticeable (8-9) at Folkestone 1m 2f mdn aut stk (6) gf.
