tracked leader, joined leader 5f out, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on one pace
close up, pressed leader over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven and ran on strongly final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace final furlong
held up towards rear, switched left over 3f out, effort 2f out, weakened final furlong
in rear, ridden over 2f out, not trouble leaders
keen tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
led, joined 5f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased
MAID IN RIO had never run beyond a mile before landing a Haydock handicap over 1m4f then absolutely sluiced up off a 7lb higher mark at Ripon. She's been hit with a massive 12lb rise but that's unlikely to prevent a hat-trick. Rawoof was always more likely to make a middle-distance handicapper so he didn't do badly in his first season and makes his handicap bow on what could prove a lenient mark. The latter remark also applies to the Galileo colt Battersea, who is a half-brother to the classy Gitano Hernando. Bold Runner has improved since facing soft ground but is unlikely to have those conditions here.
Rite To Reign 5-1 (8-10) In touch, headway to track leader 9f out, led 4f out, ridden and edged left over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Vent De Force (9-6) at Haydock 1m 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft.
Maid In Rio (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Held up in touch, headway over 3f out, challenged on bit over 2f out, soon led, shaken up over 1f out, kept on well, won at Ripon 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gd beating Full Day (9-2) by 7l, 6 ran.
Battersea 8-1 (9-5) Took keen hold, mid-division, driven to chase leaders on outside over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression final furlong, 5th of 11, 6l behind Zaeemah (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Apr.
Curbyourenthusiasm (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Held up, pushed along 4f out, headway on inside over 3f out, went 2nd 2f out, hung right inside final furlong, switched left and stayed on well towards finish, just held, 2nd of 7, hd behind Lisamour (8-9) at Salisbury 1m 2f 3yo stk 0-70 (5) sft in May.
Rawoof (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) Chased leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon outpaced, kept on inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Our Channel (9-5) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sep.
Bold Runner 11-4 (9-4) Tracked leaders, challenged going well approaching final 3f, ridden to lead over 2f out, clear over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) sft in May beating Kashmiri Sunset (9-11) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Cinnilla 7-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon ridden to challenge, never on terms, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Maid In Rio (9-4) at Haydock 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gs in May.
Appellez Baileys (FR) 50-1 (8-8) Led, pushed along over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 14, 11l behind Redlorryellowlorry (8-7) at Brighton 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) gf.