held up towards rear but in touch, chased leaders in 3rd after 3rd, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
pushed along early to chase leaders, led from 1st, made rest, clear approaching 3 out, stayed on strongly
led to 1st, tracked leaders and keen, hit 3 out, weakened after next
with winner, not fluent 4th, soon lost place and in rear next, pulled up after 4 out
held up in touch, chased winner from 5th, ridden before 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
IMPERIAL ROYALE is hardly one to rely on but this will take little winning and the experienced Lee Edwards can steer him home. The ten-year-old attracted support at Leicester last time despite some less than attractive form figures and wasn't exactly keen to get started but ran well during the race and can gain his second success over timber. East Yorkshire trainer Mike Sowersby has a couple of entries and with Campbell Gillies on board, Chadwell Spring could prove the pick in first-time blinkers. Bunacurry has hardly picked his feet up in six starts yet has to concede a stone or more all-round and the biggest threat may emerge from Dancing Partner, who at least has winning form but was beaten a distance on his comeback after a break of more than two years at Cartmel in August.
Bunacurry 50-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Teenage Idol (11-9) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jan, 17 ran.
Imperial Royale (IRE) 4-1fav (10-1) Reluctant to race and given sharp reminders to get going, went prominent after 2nd, led 5th, soon headed, led 3 out, edged right 2 out, headed last, soon folded, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Mayolynn (11-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Toby Mac 25-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, not fluent 5th, soon weakened, 15th of 17, well behind Mardood (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Mar.
Chadwell Spring (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Raced wide, soon towards rear, struggling from 5th, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind The Magic Bishop (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Dancing Partner (USA) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked winner until after 1st, ridden after 3rd, weakened next, tailed off approaching 3 out, 5th of 7, well behind Dunaskin (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gd in Aug.
Bold Indian (IRE) 100-1 (9-8) Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, never a factor, 11th of 14, well behind Lady Anne Nevill (10-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
