held up in touch, headway on inside over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace
prominent, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on under pressure
led until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, headway halfway, led entering final furlong, headed and no extra close home
held up in last, headway on outside 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, ran on strongly to lead towards finish
Royal Birth won the 2017 renewal but finished well behind Gracious John in this last year. David Evans’ charge beat ENCORE D’OR a short-head on that occasion but has fallen victim to the latter since and Bob Cowell’s sprinter is fancied to turn the tables today arriving on the back of a victory at Newcastle when just getting the better of Ornate. Corinthia Knight beat Gracious John over track and trip in December but hasn’t been at his best subsequently and stablemate Gorgeous Noora also faces a tough task on these terms though arrives in better form.
Corinthia Knight (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon switched left to inside, pushed along and no impression when hampered on inside 1f out, 8th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Kachy (9-0) at Lingfield 6f lst stks (1) pol in Feb.
Encore d'Or 9-4fav (9-0) Chased leaders, driven to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 5f stks (2) pol in Jan beating Ornate (9-0) by nk, 7 ran.
Gracious John (IRE) 9-4fav (9-7) In touch, pushed along halfway, never a factor, 6th of 7, 4 1/4l behind Tropics (9-4) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Ornate 9-4fav (9-11) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, went 2nd 1f out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Moonraker (9-4) at Southwell 5f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Royal Birth 4-1 (9-0) Close up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Tropics (9-4) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (2) pol in Jan.
Gorgeous Noora (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Always well placed, pushed along well over 1f out, ridden and chased winner final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Kachy (9-0) at Lingfield 6f lst stks (1) pol in Feb.
