tracked leaders, effort on outer 3f out, led approaching 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, eased inside final furlong
took keen hold tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed approaching 2f out, readily outpaced by winner
dwelt in touch in rear, ridden and outpaced over 3f out
led, ridden and headed 3f out, kept on same pace
Silvestre De Sousa is back from Dubai and takes over the reins on ARYAL. The latter has a couple of lengths to find with Villa Royale on latest running over 1m4f here but re-opposes on much better terms and is expected to stay the longer trip. Villa Royale is also attempting 2m for the first time but Arr' Kid won over today's distance at Southwell last month. However, the latter is upped in class off a harsh-looking 11lb higher mark today and Capellanus could prove a bigger threat returning to the Flat only 2lb higher than when scoring at Musselburgh last summer.
Villa Royale 12-1 (9-0) Pushed along towards rear early, headway over 4f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on well towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Aryal (9-2) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Aryal 4-1 (9-2) Chased leaders in 3rd, not much room well over 1f out on rail, switched right approaching final furlong, kept on to get 2nd close home, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Villa Royale (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Capellanus (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 9l behind Big Time Billy (8-3) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Jun.
Arr' Kid (USA) 2-1fav (9-1) Keen tracked leader, led over 4f out, clear 3f out, eased inside final furlong, comfortable, won at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Feb beating Yasir (9-7) by 9l, 7 ran.