mid-division, ridden and headway well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
behind, stayed on final furlong, never reached leaders
chased leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, kept on final furlong
always behind
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakening when not much room over 1f out
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
slowly into stride, towards rear, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Regal Dream gets the vote here ahead of Forest Of Love, Benny The Bus, Incense, and Chief Dipper. Raised just a pound for his course and distance win last time, Regal Dream remains competitively weighted, we feel, and, although he's a pound worse off for a short head with Benny The Bus based on that form, we reckon he can go well again as he was given a lot to do when scoring on that occasion. Barry Hills' Forest Of Love is a potential improver, as is, to a lesser degree, Out Of India. Incense is also interesting on the all-weather for the first time, being lightly-raced and having shown promise, while Lady Londra improved to win on the all-weather at Lingfield last time and this longer trip will hold no fears. She is respected, and Physical might show more back on the all-weather now, his only win having come in that sphere. Chief Dipper will be more at home at this trip and, having proven he acts on the surface, has to be considered, but Resplendent Glory has lost his form since winning on Lingfield's all-weather in December. This returns us to the selection, which is Regal Dream.
Regal Dream (IRE) 11-4fav (8-10) Steadied start, held up, ridden 2f out, headway over 1f out, weaved way through to lead last stride, won at W'hampton 7f stk 0-70 (5) pol in Aug beating Samuel Charles (8-10) by a shd, 10 ran.
Chief Dipper 14-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway 6f out, led over 1f out until just inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Highest Regard (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Aug.
Benny The Bus 10-1 (8-10) Led, quickened up 2f out, all out when headed last stride, 3rd of 10, hd behind Regal Dream (8-10) at W'hampton 7f stk 0-70 (5) pol in Aug.
Physical (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Prominent, effort and every chance from 2f out, no extra and eased close home, 7th of 11, 2l behind Dr Synn (9-4) at Goodwood 7f stk 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Lady Londra 50-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, came wide entering straight, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead final 100 yards, won at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (E3) pol in Feb beating Withering Lady (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Chilly Cracker 9-2 (9-3) Fly-jumped after start, in rear, ridden halfway, effort and stayed on, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Almaty Express (8-11) at W'hampton 5f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Aug.
Forest of Love 5-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 6l behind Ahdaaf (9-0) at Thirsk 7f mdn fll (4) gd in Jul.
Out of India 12-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, soon recovered, hampered and lost place after 1f, headway on inside over 2f out, no further progress, 6th of 12, 13l behind Border Music (9-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp (5) pol in Aug.
