behind, headway 7th, chased leaders after 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden 3 out, no impression when not fluent next
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
in touch, headway 3 out, led briefly before next, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
in touch, lost place 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
raced keenly, led, headed 7th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, led 7th, headed after 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
in touch, headway on inside to lead after 3 out, headed before next, soon ridden and weakened
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure from next, no impression
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 7th, driven to lead before 2 out, ridden clear last, easily
Nonrunner
Connections of Room To Room Gold have been patient with their charge and he comes here with every chance of adding to his winning tally. Herne Bay and Beaugency will not make it easy for him, while Alpine Hideaway can go well at a fair price if he is ready to go after his winter break. The betting market will give us a good indication on that score. Beaugency needs a truly run race to be seen at his best, but has the capability to set the tempo if needs be. However, this is a lot tougher than the conditional riders' event he won last time and he now has more to find. Herne Bay is on a roll and will be a tough customer to deal with. The drop in trip is a concern with him, as he looks an out-and-out stayer and lacks a change of gear. He did win in selling grade over 2m3f earlier in the season but obviously has more on his plate today. Therefore, we switch to Room To Room Gold, who missed an engagement earlier in the week to come here instead. The Robert Alner-trained gelding comfortably took the measure of rival that was rated 13lb his superior at Newton Abbot a fortnight ago and a repeat of that performance will be good enough to prevail here.
Room To Room Gold (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Prominent, headway on bit 3 out, challenged approaching 2 out, soon led, pushed clear from last, comfortably, won at N Abbot 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf beating Toi Express (11-8) by 6l, 8 ran.
Herne Bay (IRE) 10-1 (11-13) Held up, headway approaching 8th, led 2 out, soon ridden, won at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gf beating Red Chief (10-9) by 6l, 15 ran.
Sovereign State (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 5th, effort 3 out, soon ridden, no extra approaching last, 6th of 10, 7l behind Swift Swallow (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in May.
Friedhelmo (GER) 7-1 (11-10) Always behind, 7th of 12, well behind Red Nose Lady (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (G) gs.
Ela Re 50-1 (11-0) Always behind, mistake 3rd, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Croix De Guerre (11-12) at Stratford 2m 1f nov chs (D) gf, 6 ran.
Ton-Chee 14-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 4th until 6th, weakened 3 out, eased when pulled up 2 out in race won by Imperial Rocket (10-1) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gf, 15 ran.
Beaugency (NZ) 5-2fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, left in lead approaching 2 out, stayed on, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f cnd nov hcp hdl (F) frm beating Penteli (10-1) by 2l, 15 ran.
Karathaena (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Qabas (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in May, 18 ran.
