held up, headway near side of group over 1f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong
led until 2f, weakened entering final furlong
chased leader, led 2f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, ran on gamely
half-reared start, raced keenly, chased leaders, went 2nd over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, just held
Royal Brave has won nine races, the latest at Musselburgh in May from just 2lb lower. NORMAL EQUILIBRIUM (NAP) is only 1lb higher than when scoring at Chester in August and will be better for last month's run at Catterick, his first since October. He is handed the vote as Suitcase 'n' Taxi won at a lower grade at Carlisle and is 5lb higher. Quayside went up 6lb for his Haydock victory and couldn't quite cope with the in-form Eeh Bah Gum at Redcar but must have a good chance of returning to winning ways. Canford Bay's two victories have been at Class 6 level and this is tougher.
Royal Brave (IRE) 7-2fav (9-7) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Merhoob (9-7) at Musselburgh 5f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Normal Equilibrium 33-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Private Matter (9-7) at Catterick 6f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Suitcase 'n' Taxi 9-1 (9-4) With leader, led narrowly 2f out, driven and headed 1f out, lost place inside final furlong, 6th of 18, 6 1/2l behind Paddy Power (9-11) at York 6f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Quayside 3-1 (8-13) Chased leader, effort well over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Eeh Bah Gum (9-1) at Redcar 5f hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Canford Bay (IRE) 9-2jfav (9-6) Held up towards rear, smooth headway 3f out, led inside final 2f, ridden inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wetherby 5f hcp (6) gf in Jun beating Young Tiger (9-6) by 3/4l, 10 ran.