went left start, led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
steadied start, held up in rear, ridden and stayed on final furlong, never nearer
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, caught post
keen held up, ridden over 1f out, no impression
hampered start, tracked leader until over 1f out
dwelt, in rear, headway approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on strongly to lead post
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, no impression
In a really decent little handicap Royal Intruder has every right to improve his impressive strike rate over this trip but with course and distance form on his side we prefer LE TOREADOR with Gilt Edge Girl also a likely danger. That course and distance score for the pick came in October and after two poor efforts on the turf he bounced back to score at Lingfield in a four runner race. That came easily enough to suggest he can handle his four pounds rise in the weights and a big run is expected. Gilt Edge Girl's own course and distance win came last time out on her first try of the assignment. She's unexposed enough to show us a bit more and she looks a live contender now five pounds worse off. Royal Intruder searches for a hat-trick here and while he is still fairly treated based on those results he needs to prove it on this slower surface. Luscivious has kicked on in a couple of runs since returning from a break and another improved effort will get him bang in the picture but in a good race Le Toreador should go well off top weight.
Le Toreador 11-8fav (9-4) Made all, ridden over 1f out, ran on, won at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb beating Ivory Silk (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Noverre To Go (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) In touch, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Rulesn'regulations (8-6) at Ascot 6f 3yo hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Sep.
Gilt Edge Girl 16-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, driven, edged left, led well inside final furlong, ran on towards finish, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Nov beating Ivory Silk (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Royal Intruder 11-2 (9-0) Held up in mid-division on inner, switched left and good headway approaching final 1f, quickened between horses to lead final 100 yards, won going away, won at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct beating Ocean Blaze (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Luscivious 33-1 (8-10) Dwelt soon tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Arthur's Edge (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-95 (3) std.
Medicean Man 13-2 (9-5) Dwelt, held up towards rear, ridden halfway, headway over 2f out, edged right and stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 19, 6l behind Felday (9-4) at York 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Cerito 7-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 11, 5l behind Lesley's Choice (9-3) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.