held up in rear, headway on stand rail over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
chased leaders over 5f
held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway on stand rail over 1f out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened and eased
held up in rear, switched right and effort on wide outside 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, not reach leaders
went right start, held up in rear, good headway and wide outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead near finish
mid-division, ridden 3f out, no headway
led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, weakened towards finish
held up in mid-division, headway over 1f out, carried head high, ran on inside final furlong
reared start, always rear
in touch, headway to chase leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, caught near finish
chased leaders 5f
took keen hold in mid-division, headway on outside 3f out to chase leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong
prominent 5f, eased when no chance final furlong
in touch over 5f
held up in rear, effort on stand rail 2f out, soon ridden and no headway
In a competitive finale, Royal Fantasy is selected ahead of Hassaad and Neardown Beauty. Progressive and lightly-raced are always good words to hear when describing a James Fanshawe runner and he saddles the Yarmouth winner Royal Fantasy here. She did well to come from last to first in winning that day and is probably better than her mark suggests. As such, she gets the call. Silver Blue is very well handicapped based on form of a year ago and could go well if his confidence has been restored. Cross The Line certainly holds claims based on his all-weather form, while if Luke Dace has got King's Majesty back to his 2005 form, he is well-weighted. Hassaad is lighty-raced and open to plenty of improvement, which he will need to find, but it is not beyond the realms of possibility that he will run well, but Neardown Beauty, who comes here fit, is weighted to beat him based on recent all-weather form. Finally, Habshan is edging back towards a winning mark and, with Darryll Holland getting on well with him, he might go well, and Binanti has certainly achieved placings from his current mark in fair races. Once again, though, the selection is Royal Fantasy.
Binanti 16-1 (8-9) Soon in rear, ridden 3f out, no impression, 7th of 12, 5l behind King's Caprice (8-12) at Goodwood 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Sept.
Habshan (USA) 40-1 (8-12) Raced stands side, tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 17, 6l behind Plum Pudding (9-2) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Sept.
Bee Stinger 7-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, every chance final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 10, hd behind Sotik Star (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Press The Button (GER) 8-1 (9-4) In touch, effort, hung right 2f out, not pace of leaders final furlong, 4th of 14, 5l behind Ceremonial Jade (9-3) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Sept.
It's A Dream (FR) 9-1 (9-1) Close up, ridden 3f out, soon weakend, tailed off, 7th of 9, 37l behind Counterpunch (9-4) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Hassaad 10-3 (9-1) Dwelt, headway on inside rail 2f out, led just inside final furlong, quickened clear, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov beating Coleridge (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Rubenstar (IRE) 5-1 (8-8) Held up in touch, ridden to lead entering final furlong, kept on, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo app hcp (4) pol in Oct beating Scrummage (8-10) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Music Note (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Led at strong pace, headed approaching final furlong, kept on well but no chance with winner when lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 4l behind King of Argos (9-4) at Windsor 1m hcap (4) gf in Apr.
Neardown Beauty (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, took keen hold, held up, pushed along 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 2l behind Street Warrior (8-11) at Bath 1m hcp 0-80 (4) frm in Apr.
King's Majesty (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Always behind, 7th of 9, 6l behind Councellor (8-12) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Cross The Line (IRE) 9-1 (9-3) Held up behind leaders, driven over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 17, 3l behind Exit Smiling (8-8) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Amwaal (USA) 9-2 (9-4) Prominent pushed along over 3f out, driven 2f out, one pace until weakened final furlong, 13th of 17, 8l behind Exit Smiling (8-8) at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd in Apr.
Samarinda (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Always prominent, not clear run over 2f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, soon edged right, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar beating Symbol Of Peace (8-7) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
First Show 5-1 (9-7) Mid-division, not clear run in final 2f, stayed on final furlong, no danger, 6th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Aggravation (8-6) at Windsor 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jun.
Silver Blue (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Towards rear, ridden 4f out, never a factor, 12th of 13, 9l behind King of Argos (9-4) at Windsor 1m hcap (4) gf in Apr.
Royal Fantasy (IRE) 5-2fav (8-6) Steadied and hampered start, held up, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on strongly to lead last strides, won at Yarmouth 1m fll hcp (4) gf in Apr beating Inaminute (8-8) by a hd, 9 ran.
