chased leaders, challenged 2f out, led narrowly over 1f out, strongly pressed inside final furlong, driven and kept on gamely to assert closing stages
held up, ridden and no response halfway
dwelt, ridden halfway, always behind
pressed leader, slight lead 3f out, narrowly headed over 1f out, driven and rallied inside final furlong, found no extra and held closing stages
slight lead on rail until 3f out, stayed pressing leader, rallied under pressure inside final furlong, no extra closing stages
soon outpaced, ridden and beaten halfway, always in rear
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, plugged on again inside final furlong, no threat
ROYAL BOX, who scored over the C&D on soft ground in June, has continued in fine form and defied a poor draw to score at Chester last time. He looks capable of defying a 4lb weight rise particularly as another improver, Rebecca Romero, appears happier on a quicker surface. Two Turtle Doves has found her form in no uncertain terms and has completed a C&D double on this kind of surface recently though Cape Dove, a close second to her earlier in the month, has since let the form down at Brighton. Triple Dream is always to be feared at this level and Kieren Fallon's booking catches the eye.
Equuleus Pictor 9-1 (9-7) Stumbled slightly leaving stalls, soon chased leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 12, 5l behind Rafaaf (8-10) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Superior Edge 28-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, weakened entering final 2f, last of 13, 17l behind The Name Is Frank (8-7) at Bath 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Sulis Minerva (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Held up and always in rear, never a factor, last of 12, 12l behind Rafaaf (8-10) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Triple Dream 7-1 (9-1) Upset in stalls, chased leaders, ridden on outside halfway, weakened inside final 2f, 10th of 12, 9l behind Rafaaf (8-10) at Sandown 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Cape Royal 7-2 (9-4) Chased leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 7, 7l behind Commandingpresence (9-4) at Brighton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft.
Namir (IRE) 22-1 (9-6) Raced wide tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Welcome Approach (9-7) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Two Turtle Doves (IRE) 9-4 (8-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd halfway, ridden to narrow lead 1f out, asserted final 100 yards, kept on well and in command closing stages, won at Chepstow 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft beating Cape Royal (9-1) by nk, 8 ran.
Royal Box 4-1fav (10-5) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, effort when squeezed out 1f out, switched right and ran on to lead towards finish, won at Chester 6f am hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Memphis Man (10-5) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Rebecca Romero 5-2fav (9-2) Held up in touch, headway 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, strong run to 2nd last strides, unable to reach winner, 2nd of 8, nk behind Commandingpresence (8-9) at Salisbury 5f hcp 0-70 (5) gd.
