mid-division, keen, headway to lead approaching 5th, headed before 3 out, soon lost place
held up in rear, headway halfway, chased leaders 8th, under pressure 3 out, no extra approaching last
in touch, headway 4 out, ridden and weakened after next
chased leaders, led 4 out, challenged after next, headed flat, no extra closing stages
in rear, outpaced 4 out, no impression
in touch, driven 4 out, soon weakened
prominent, led after 1st, headed after next, remained prominent, not fluent 7th, slow next, weakened after 4 out
led, headed when mistake 1st, led again after next, headed approaching 5th, not fluent next, outpaced 4 out, rallied 2 out, stayed on strongly into 2nd towards finish
keen in rear, headway, slow 4th, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, not fluent 2 out, led after last, kept on well
Royal Village carries 12lb more than when successful last year and this is a cracking renewal, though Ian Williams’ charge arrives in good form. Whoshotwho and Luckofthedraw are also previous course and distance winners with the latter back in form here three weeks ago. San Benedeto is a former Grade 1 winner so has a touch of class and he’s had wind surgery since last seen. He finished ahead of VALDEZ when winning a Grade 3 at Newbury last season but the latter is better off at the weights now and is overdue a victory in a race like this. This is a tougher assignment for Warwick winner Vivas, however, and Theligny will find easier opportunities to break his duck. Mellow Ben may also struggle in this company.
San Benedeto (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway tracking leaders before 4 out, kept on same pace in 3rd from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Black Corton (11-3) at Sandown 2m 7f (1) gd in Apr.
Mellow Ben (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders on inside, led going well 3 out, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Soupy Soups (10-13) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Valdez 5-2 (11-11) Tended to jump right, tracked leaders, went 2nd and poised to challenge after 3 out, not fluent last, ridden and one pace flat, switched inside and kept on towards finish, not quite reach winner, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Gala Ball (11-12) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Royal Village (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Not always fluent, held up in 5th, closed 7th, hit 12th, went 2nd after 4 out, challenging when swerved left before last, led flat, driven out, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Aug beating Overtoujay (10-0) by nk, 7 ran.
Vivas (FR) 4-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway 4 out, led last, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (3) gf in Sep beating Potterman (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Whoshotwho (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, left in 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, hit last, soon headed, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Scorpion Sid (11-2) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Luckofthedraw (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, closed 8th, went 2nd after 4 out, led before next, driven flat, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating As You Like (11-10) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Theligny (FR) 9-1 (11-11) Tracked leader, left in lead 1st, headed 8th, led again 10th, headed next, outpaced 3 out, stayed on into 3rd after last, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Rock On Fruity (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Copper West (IRE) 5-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders on outside, left in 2nd place at 3rd, pushed along and lost 2nd 4 out, weakened before next, 4th of 6, dist behind Diablo De Rouhet (11-8) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jun.
