in rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on well
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out
led, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
ROYAL CELEBRATION ran well enough for fourth in a tougher race over course and distance a week ago. Bryan Smart’s charge was third here before that when finishing ahead of both King Of Castilla and Snuggy. The latter has subsequently placed at Kempton and had earlier beaten Local Artist at Leicester when winning a maiden while Affordability continues to tumble down the weights without getting any closer. The rest are harder to fancy on what little they have shown so far.
Snuggy (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, went 3rd close home, no chance with winner, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Lord Cooper (9-2) at Kempton 6f (6) pol in Dec.
Local Artist (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 12th of 14, 13 1/4l behind Lou's Diamond (9-4) at Newcastle 6f (6) pol in Oct.
Affordability 10-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed just inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Ferocity (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn stks (6) pol in Dec.
Little Kingdom (IRE) 200-1 (9-0) Keen, led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 14, 8 1/4l behind Native Soldier (9-5) at Newcastle 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Royal Celebration 7-1 (8-2) Behind and off the pace early, headway chasing leaders 3f out, 2nd 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out until inside final furlong, weakened towards finish, 4th of 6, 1 3/4l behind Erissimus Maximus (9-6) at Newcastle 5f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Cool Run Girl (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Mid-division, driven halfway, soon beaten, 9th of 10, 9l behind Dusty Bin (8-8) at Redcar 5f (6) sft in Oct.
Flying Hope (IRE) 18-1 (8-8) Led, ridden approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, weakened and lost 2 places in closing stages, 4th of 7, 3 3/4l behind Newgate Sioux (8-5) at Beverley 5f stks (6) gf in Sep.
King Of Castilla 28-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 11, 14 1/4l behind Dazacam (9-5) at Newcastle 5f (6) pol in Dec.