prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong and eased
led, ridden over 1f out, fading when headed well inside final furlong
slowly into stride, ridden and headway on inside over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra
mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ridden out
tracked leaders, chased leader 2f out, faded final furlong
mid-division, effort and not clear run over 1f out, not quicken after
held up, ridden and outpaced 3f out, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on, nearest at finish
stumbled leaving stalls, hard ridden when switched right 2f out, edged right over 1f out, kept on, not reach leaders
tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, one pace
Royal Challenge looks the one to side with in this handicap and he is nominated to get the better of Obe Royal and Interactive. Obe Royal has not been done any favours by the draw, but then he went close from a poor draw over this course and distance last time when he chased home Royal Envoy. That was a good effort and if he can reproduce that form here then he is entitled to go close. However, Royal Challenge finished ahead of Obe Royal on his last outing and on these terms he is tipped to confirm that superiority today, especially as he has also got a fair draw. Interactive is now 5-years-old and he remains, but he finished just behind Spin Again last time so if he runs well in the previous race then he will give the form a boost. Star Strider has a good draw and the booking of Jamie Spencer in the plate certainly catches the eye for Gay Kelleway's 4-year-old. This is quite a trappy race and Royal Challenge is given the vote to lead them home.
Royal Challenge 9-1 (9-4) Mid-division, effort and headway 3f out, kept on, not reach leaders, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Hammer of The Gods (9-3) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Interactive (IRE) 10-3 (9-13) Close up, ridden to lead when hung left over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Yamal (9-0) at Lingfield 6f mdn stk (5) pol in Mar.
Obe Royal 6-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, headway on inside over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, edged left under pressure close home, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Royal Envoy (8-10) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Rabbit Fighter (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway when not much room over 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 9th of 16, 10l behind Winthorpe (8-10) at Pontefract 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Mar.
Crimson Fern (IRE) 9-4fav (9-5) Tracked leaders travelling strongly, ridden and swished tail entering final furlong, found little, 4th of 6, 6l behind Multahab (9-4) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.
Star Strider 12-1 (9-2) Towards rear, stayed on from over 1f out, 5th of 11, 5l behind Hammer of The Gods (9-3) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Methaaly (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Soon tracking leaders, ridden and close up over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 11l behind Royal Envoy (8-10) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
The Fisio 14-1 (8-10) Dwelt, behind, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, never able to challenge, 4th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Lord of The Reins (8-12) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Briery Lane (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Behind, edged right inside final furlong, never near leaders, 7th of 11, 7l behind Commander Wish (8-6) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Gap Princess (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Held up mid-division, effort when not much room 2f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong, never troubled leaders, 8th of 13, 7l behind Feelin Foxy (9-7) at Redcar 5f fll hcp (5) gs in Mar.
