went freely to start, pulled hard in rear, headway halfway, weakened over 2f out
very slowly away, always in rear, ridden 3f out, no impression
prominent, ridden 3f out, every chance over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
held up, headway on outer 3f out, hung left when every chance over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
led until over 3f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out
in touch, ridden 3f out, effort over 1f out, stayed on to go 4th close home
raced wide close up, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
A real headscratcher to finish upon with Arch Villain heading into the race with the best form, albeit on the Polytrack. We look elsewhere and offer a word in favour of SPANISH WEDDING. Marco Botti's gelding failed to stay the trip at Doncaster last time but he'd shown plenty of ability over this distance at York and Goodwood, and he can get back to winning ways. Gabrial The Hero won a Haydock maiden in the style of a smart horse and he should be forgiven a blip at Chester. Ultimate Destiny was beaten off today's mark at Doncaster though he'd won well on a softer surface at Leicester and Sandown. Ex Oriente ran well in an Ascot handicap last month and the form could be smart as the winner and second have gone on to register victories since.
Royal Straight 3-1fav (9-12) Held up mid-division, headway on outer over 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Double Cee (9-6) at Musselburgh 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
Gabrial The Hero (USA) 4-1 (9-7) Slowly away, took keen hold, held up in rear, hampered over 2f out, went 4th over 1f out, never on terms, 4th of 8, 16l behind Naseem Alyasmeen (8-12) at Chester 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Spanish Wedding 5-1 (9-2) Tracked leader, led 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 5th of 6, 19l behind Suraj (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 7f 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jun.
Ex Oriente (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Held up in last pair, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, went 4th inside final furlong, no impression with leading trio, 4th of 7, 6l behind Al Saham (9-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Arch Villain (IRE) 4-1 (9-1) Prominent, went 2nd 11f out, challenged over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly, won at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jul beating Three Bards (9-6) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Modernism 9-1 (9-2) With leader, led over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Kunegunda (9-5) at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Ultimate Destiny 9-4fav (8-12) Led, pushed along and headed 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1l behind The Lock Master (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) sft in Jul.
Hurricane In Dubai (IRE) 15-2 (8-13) Held up towards rear, pushed along 5f olut, no chance when hampered entering final 2f, last of 11, 28l behind Gospel Choir (9-7) at Ascot 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jul.
Bathwick Street 6-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, headway to lead over 3f out, soon ridden, edged left and right when headed over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 5th of 11, 5l behind Teak (9-12) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fm in Jul.
