MORANDO (NAP) caught Young Rascal on the line when the latter pair dead-heated in last year’s renewal. But the Haggas charge hasn’t raced since May having been gelded during the interim and Andrew Balding’s grey is taken to return the outright winner on this occasion having won by six lengths in the soft going at Ascot last time. Royal Line was no match for Kew Gardens and Stradivarius at Ascot a week ago and drops back down in trip while King's Advice is preferred at the weights to both Manuela De Vega and Spirit Of Appin.
Morando (FR) 2-1fav (9-5) Bit keen, tracked leaders on inside, 2nd travelling well 2f out, pushed into lead over 1f out, driven clear and stayed on strongly, won at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 3 stks (1) sft in Oct beating Sextant (9-2) by 6l, 7 ran.
Royal Line 12-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway from over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Kew Gardens (9-7) at Ascot 2m Grp 2 (1) gs in Oct.
King's Advice 8-15fav (9-9) Led until over 1f out, rallied and every chance throughout final furlong, stayed on gamely, just held, 2nd of 3, nk behind Weekender (9-9) at Salisbury 1m 6f stks (2) gd in Sep.
Spirit Of Appin 9-1 (9-3) Raced far side made all, ridden and hung left over 1f out, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gd in Sep beating Simply Beautiful (8-10) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Young Rascal (FR) 5-1 (9-1) In touch, headway 5f out, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 15 1/4l behind Communique (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in May.
Manuela De Vega (IRE) 5-4fav (8-4) Led, ridden when hard pressed 2f out, kept on, headed inside final furlong, no extra and held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Sextant (9-3) at Chester 1m 4f lst stks (1) gd in Sep.
