raced keenly, led, ridden and kept narrow advantage when pressed over 1f out, headed final 110 yards, weakened towards finish
not much room after start, behind, smooth headway on outside 2f out, strong run and edged left inside final furlong, ran on to lead final 75 yards
went left start, prominent, ridden and ran on to dispute lead final 110 yards, headed and not pace of winner final 75 yards, lost 2nd last strides
chased leaders, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
went left start, mid-division on outside, ridden 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
held up on inside, headway on outside 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never going pace to reached leaders
soon chased leader, ridden and disputing lead inside final furlong, went 2nd last strides, not pace of winner
behind, pushed along halfway, kept on inside final furlong, not troubled leaders
soon pushed along towards rear, struggling and behind final 2f
Piazza San Pietro went down narrowly at Brighton earlier this week and may again find one too good, this time in the shape of MATTEROFACT. Mel Saunders' charge won her maiden here back in 2005 and invariably runs well over course and distance, as was the case when she went down by half a length off this mark last time. She's clearly versatile in terms of ground and can make the running or sit close to the pace, so in this open contest she arrives with a solid profile. Piazza San Pietro can't be discounted as he's clearly in form and can go close off this mark. Andy Haynes has a fine record at his local track, as is shown by the fact he took this race last year, and his charge not only appears fairly handicapped but also takes his racing very well; in his current run of form Piazza San Pietro can't be ruled out if asked to run. Cape Royal seems to have been around forever but has found a new lease of life lately, winning at Ripon and continuing to go well off this sort of mark since. Baby Queen came up against the well-treated Vhujon at Nottingham, a horse who runs in the 19:25, so her run should be viewed with interest despite the fact we're happy to take her on. The Name Is Frank has a poor-strike rate and work to do with Matterofact, who gets our vote.
Cape Royal 9-1 (9-12) With leaders, every chance 2f out, ridden and kept on under pressure inside final furlong, 3rd and held when not much room near finish, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Sands Crooner (9-3) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Elhamri 20-1 (9-10) Reared start and rider lost an iron, always in rear, last of 9, 16l behind Caledonia Princess (9-3) at Windsor 5f app hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Piazza San Pietro 11-8fav (9-10) Chased leaders, challenged going well over 1f out, narrow lead inside final furlong, headed and not pace of winner near finish, 2nd of 5, hd behind Mandhooma (8-10) at Brighton 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Little Edward 25-1 (9-1) Dropped into rear soon after start, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Abbondanza (9-2) at Folkestone 6f clm stks (6) gf in Jun.
Nepotism 12-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 12, 10l behind Drawnfromthepast (9-7) at Bath 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Green Lagonda (AUS) 6-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon every chance, weakened 1f out, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Caledonia Princess (9-3) at Windsor 5f app hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Matterofact (IRE) 3-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, led over 1f out, hard ridden final furlong, headed close home, soon weakened to 3rd, 3rd of 8, 1/2l behind Ask Jenny (9-6) at Bath 5f hcp 0-65 (6) fm.
The Name Is Frank 5-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, outpaced halfway, stayed on again towards finish, 4th of 8, 1 3/4l behind Ask Jenny (9-6) at Bath 5f hcp 0-65 (6) fm.
Baby Queen (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) With leader stands side rail, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, just held on for 2nd, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Vhujon (9-7) at Nottingham 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Miskin Nights 33-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, not much room and lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 16, well behind Red Scintilla (9-3) at Warwick 6f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) gd in Jun.
