chased leaders, took closer order 3rd, led next, hard pressed 2 out, stayed on well
led until approaching 2nd, led again next, headed 4th, weakened 2 out
pulled hard, led before 2nd, headed next, rallied 2 out, soon every chance, no extra flat
keen hold in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders 2 out, soon no impression
El Toreros was only beaten a length-and-a-half at Newton Abbot on his debut for Tim Vaughan but that looked a weak race and he's now had 19 career starts without managing to get his head in front. James Moffatt's MORNING ROYALTY won a bumper for Willie Mullins at Punchestown in December last year and was also placed on several occasions. He'll handle the surface and can get the better of another bumper winner, Dotties Dilemma, on his hurdling bow. Xclaim finished ahead of the disappointing Full Speed on the Flat recently and could be the pick of the remainder.
Alf The Audacious 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 10th of 15, 32l behind Josh Deets (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gd in Sep.
Dotties Dilema (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Tracked leader, led well over 1f out, soon ridden, pressed inside final furlong, just held on towards finish, won at Hexham 2m NH flat (6) sft in May beating Rinnagree Rosie (10-6) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
El Toreros (USA) 3-1 (10-11) Led until after 2nd, chased clear winner, ridden and 20 lengths to find after 3 out, closed flat, never able to challenge, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Surprise Us (10-8) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f 4yo mdn stks (5) sft in Sep.
Full Speed (GER) 9-1 (10-12) Held up, went 4th approaching 2 out, no impression, 4th of 12, 23l behind Alasi (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec '09.
Morning Royalty (IRE) 7-2fav (12-0) Prominent and soon led, headed approaching straight, ridden 2f out and no impression on winner from 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Buckers Bridge (11-9) at Punchestown 2m N H flat hvy in Apr.
Resoluton 66-1 (10-11) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, lost place over 6f out, soon behind, 9th of 11, 49l behind Our Joey (11-2) at Perth 2m NH flat (6) gd in Sep.
Xclaim 22-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 17l behind Noble Alan (9-12) at Thirsk 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Sep (flat).
