held up in 5th, pushed along and outpaced inside final 3f, weakened over 2f out
held up in last pair, dropped to rear and pushed along 3f out, headway between horses over 1f out, ridden to lead 150 yards out, stayed on, headed final strides
tracked leaders, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, headway on outside and hung left over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, led final strides
took keen hold early, tracked leaders, went 2nd over 7f out until over 5f out, handy 3rd until one pace inside final furlong, weakened final 100 yards
raced keenly, held up in last pair, good headway on outside halfway, went 2nd over 5f out until 1f out, weakened final furlong
made most for 3f, tracked leader until took keen hold and steadied into 4th over 7f out, headway on inside into 2nd 1f out until inside final furlong, every chance until no extra final 100 yards
tracked leader, led 9f out, ridden over 1f out, headed final 150 yards, weakened final 100 yards
Royal Reserve went close at Newcastle recently though is upped in class today and was beaten by Island Brave at Wolverhampton last month. The latter dotted-up by eight lengths on that occasion but has been raised 10lb for his trouble and AY AY is preferred. David Elsworth’s charge came up just short in this grade when sent off favourite over 1m2f here but is fancied to go one better today given he won at Nottingham last year when last partnered by Ryan Moore. Fearsome is progressing well but this is much tougher than his latest success while Thaqaffa’s winning run came to end at Chelmsford during the week.
Gang Warfare 40-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, outpaced before last, kept on again run-in, 4th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Enola Gay (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Royal Reserve 11-1 (9-12) Held up min rear, headway between horses over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Lexington Law (9-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Island Brave (IRE) 3-1fav (9-0) Held up, headway on outer 3f out, chased clear leader over 2f out, ridden to lead and hung left approaching final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Jan beating Flight Of Fantasy (9-4) by 8l, 11 ran.
Ay Ay (IRE) 11-8fav (9-3) In rear, driven over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, always held, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Contrast (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
William Hunter 8-1 (9-12) Keen tracking leaders, 2nd 8f out, every chance 2f out, soon lost 2nd, ridden and hung left well over 1f out, soon weakened, last of 7, 21 1/2l behind Ocean Of Love (9-10) at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Thaqaffa (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 8 1/4l behind Ourmullion (8-13) at Chelmsford City 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Feb.
Fearsome 7-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, driven and headway over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on well inside final furlong, led inside final 50 yards, just held on, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Native Fighter (8-8) by ns, 7 ran.
