held up in last pair, headway and held up in rear, headway on outside 5f out, went 2nd on outside 4f out until 3f out, ridden and edged left over 2f out, lost 2nd 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden along and outpaced over 4f out, rallied and kept on to modest 3rd inside final furlong
held up tracking leaders, went 2nd under pressure 2f out, no chance with winner
led, hung badly right and reluctant on bend after 3f, driven along 3f out, soon headed, chased leaders, weakened inside final 2f
tracked leader until pushed along 4f out, chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
tracked leading pair, went 2nd going well 3f out, led over 2f out, pushed clear final furlong, easily
Red Devil Lads was surprisingly beaten on his debut under Rules at Ffos Las and this is a better race. Thomas Brown, another winning pointer, may have more scope as he stayed on nicely when fourth at Chepstow despite pulling too hard. Fred Le Macon hinted at ability in the spring while Arthur McBride wasn't beaten far at Wincanton in April and hails from an in-form yard. He's preferred to newcomers Run On Sterling and The Iron Maiden but big things will be expected of MAESTRO ROYAL, who can make a successful debut. Nicky Henderson's gelding is a half-brother to three jump winners including the useful Barbers Shop and Heather Royal, who also won bumpers.
Arthur Mc Bride (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Towards headway over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 2 3/4l behind Tea For Two (10-5) at Wincanton 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Fred Le Macon (FR) 2-1fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway before halfway, chased leaders before 3f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 13l behind Cape York (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in May.
Maestro Royal Doyen gelding out of Close Harmony.
Red Devil Lads (IRE) 5-6fav (11-0) Soon led, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final 2f, soon one pace and no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Capilla (10-11) at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Oct.
Run On Sterling Dr Fong gelding out of Dansara.
Thomas Brown 4-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, led 2f, chased leaders, pushed along on outside and outpaced 5f out, headway over 2f out, stayed to 4th nearing finish, not pace of leading trio, 4th of 15, 8l behind Oscarteea (11-0) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (5) gd in Oct.
The Iron Maiden Proclamation filly out of Bright Spangle.
