tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden 2 out, rallied and upsides last, led and edged right flat, kept on
led, tended to jump right, headed after 4 out, soon lost place, weakened from next
held up towards rear, struggling 4 out, weakened next
held up in rear, outpaced after 4 out, weakened next, pulled up before last
held up behind, struggling 4 out, never on terms, weakened next
tracked leaders, driven and outpaced in 4th after 4 out, no chance with leaders from next
raced keenly, tracked leaders, went 3rd after 4 out, soon outpaced, no chance with front pair from next
tracked leader, led after 4 out, ridden and hard pressed before last, headed flat, kept on, held towards finish
A smart handicapper on the Flat for Mark Johnston, ROYAL SKIES can make a winning debut over timber for new connections. He's rated much higher on the level than fellow hurdling newcomers Pearl Castle and Kolonel Kirkup. Janaab is more interesting on his first start for Tim Easterby having raced on the Flat in France but Handiwork, a winner over hurdles at Market Rasen, looks the biggest threat to the selection despite carrying a penalty for that success.
Handiwork 11-2 (10-12) Always prominent, switched left to challenge approaching last, soon hard driven, ran on strongly to lead closing stages, readily, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gs beating Aalim (10-9) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Amour Collonges (FR) 7-1 (10-12) In touch, weakened before 3f out, 12th of 13, 49l behind Lady Buttons (10-0) at Wetherby 1m 5f n h flat 3yo (6) gs.
Bold And Free 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, weakened before 3 out, last of 8, well behind Handiwork (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gs.
Janaab (IRE) (9-1) 2nd of 14, 4l behind Pont Marie (9-5) at Maisons-Laffitte(FR) 1m 3yo clm gs in Oct (flat).
Khelac 7-1 (9-7) Led, ridden and joined inside final furlong, already headed when hit near side rail inside final 100 yards, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Sword of The Lord (9-9) at Brighton 1m 3yo hcp 0-60 (6) sft in Oct (flat).
Kolonel Kirkup 10-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 7l behind The Scuttler (8-13) at Ayr 1m 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) sft in Sep (flat).
Pearl Castle (IRE) 10-3 (8-10) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 7l behind Gospel Choir (10-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f hcp 105 (2) gd in Sep (flat).
Royal Skies (IRE) 15-2 (9-7) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 7l behind Amralah (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Sep (flat).
