chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon outpaced, weakened final furlong
held up behind, headway over 1f out, ridden and stayed on well inside final furlong, not reached leaders
held up behind, ridden and effort over 2f out to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to lead final 75 yards
raced keen, with leader, ridden well over 1f out, kept on until no extra towards finish
chased leaders, headway to lead well over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on until headed and no extra final 75 yards
chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
raced keenly and led, ridden over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden and effort 2f out to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Nonrunner
Court Masterpiece and McCartney boast the highest ratings in the field but both have something to prove so we'd rather side with REGAL PARADE. Court Masterpiece is entitled to need this whilst McCartney managed only one start last term and the stable has suffered a few reverses in recent weeks. Mia's Boy has been running as well as ever and shouldn't be far away despite having done the majority of his racing over trips in excess of today's seven furlongs. Tombi is no forlorn hope if fully wound up whilst high hopes were held for Courageous earlier in the season and there were some positives to be taken from his run at Newmarket. Taqdeyr takes a step up in class on his return to turf but shouldn't be taken lightly although his tendency to race keenly could count against him in a race where there should be plenty of pace. That should suit our selection who appears best held up off a strong pace which the Nicholls trained gelding hasn't enjoyed on either of his two starts this term. He's acquitted himself well enough in the circumstances but he should get his conditions here so we'll hope to see Regal Parade lead them home.
Alan Devonshire 18-1 (8-12) Always towards rear, no impression, last of 7, 10l behind Alexandros (8-12) at Bath 1m cond Stakes (3) gd in Oct.
Court Masterpiece 8-1 (9-0) Settled rear mid-division; ridden to close 700m out; not quicken, 5th of 14, 9l behind Spring At Last (9-0) at Nad Al Sheba(UAE) 1m 4yo stk in Mar '07.
McCartney (GER) 8-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened 1f out, last of 6, 14l behind Tartan Bearer (9-0) at York 1m 2f 3yo hdl Grd 2 (1) gf in May '08.
Mia's Boy 5-1fav (8-12) Held up, headway 2f out, soon ridden and kept on, 3rd of 15, 3/4l behind Yamal (9-1) at York 1m (1) gd.
Regal Parade 9-4fav (9-2) Raced centre, held up in touch, came stands side 4f out, ridden 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Asset (9-2) at Leicester 7f Listed stks (1) gf in Apr.
Taqdeyr 1-2fav (9-2) Carried slightly left start, soon crossed over to lead, shaken up final furlong, ridden and in command towards finish, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Apr beating Wigram's Turn (8-10) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Tombi (USA) 16-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, every chance entering final furlong, gradually weakened, 6th of 16, 2 1/4l behind Hamish Mcgonagall (9-1) at Musselburgh 5f hcp 105 (2) gs in Oct.
Medicea Sidera 16-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 2f out, headed 1f out, one pace, 7th of 10, 3 1/2l behind San Sicharia (9-3) at Lingfield 7f fll stks Group 3 (1) gf.
Courageous (IRE) 18-1 (9-0) Soon led, heaed over 2f out, ridden and onepace, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Alyarf (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 3yo lst stks (1) gf.
Marine Boy (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Chased leader to 2f out, soon driven along, kept on again inside final furlong, not pace to threaten leaders, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Border Patrol (9-0) at Newbury 6f 3yo lst stk (1) gd.
Fan Club 66-1 (8-8) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon driven and weakened, 8th of 9, 32l behind Safebreaker (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcap (6) fbs in Feb.
