led, quickened clear over 3f out, headed approaching final furlong, switched left and rallied closing stages, kept on well
dwelt, held up in touch, chased leaders over 2f out, soon one pace, weakened and lost moderate 3rd close home
tracked leader, driven to challenge 2f out, led approaching final furlong, edged right, ran on
steadied start, raced keenly in touch, tracked leaders after 2f, outpaced 3f out, rallied approaching final furlong, stayed on to go moderate 3rd closing stages
chased leaders, lost place halfway, soon beaten, eased over 1f out
Nonrunner
Royal Dignitary won a claimer at Southwell during the week but is equally adept on the turf and has the beating of Bolodenka on their running in a similar contest last year. However, CLOUDY BAY finished a close-up third at Wolverhampton on his latest start and, given he's open to further progress on only his fifth start, he gets the nod here. Birkside failed to make any impression at this level last season and is returning from a long lay-off along with Cry Alot Boy, while Elusive Fame looks up against it on today's terms.
Cloudy Bay (USA) 14-1 (9-5) Towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 3f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 5, 3/4l behind The Which Doctor (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f clm stks (6) pol.
Birkside 9-4 (9-1) Slowly into stride and not much room soon after start, tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f out, no impression entering final furlong, one pace, 2nd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Amazing King (8-12) at Musselburgh 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Bolodenka (IRE) 11-4 (8-13) Slowly into stride, behind and soon outpaced, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, never near leaders, 6th of 12, 7l behind Fremen (9-3) at Musselburgh 1m 1f clm stks (6) gd in Sep.
Cry Alot Boy 15-2 (8-10) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 13l behind Russian George (9-2) at Haydock 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Apr '10.
Elusive Fame (USA) 15-2 (8-13) Held up towards rear on outer, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Postman (9-1) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Royal Dignitary (USA) 15-2 (10-0) Tracked leader, effort when carried right over 1f out, led inside final furlong, edged left towards finish, won at Southwell 7f clm stks (6) fbs beating Alpha Tauri (10-0) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.