held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
dwelt, held up in rear, switched to outer and headway from 2f out, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on and just held near finish
held up towards rear, headway over 7f out, pushed along over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
dwelt, held up towards rear, soon in touch in 4th, headway over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leader, pushed along to lead 2f out, pressed inside final furlong, kept on gamely, just held on
led, pushed along and headed 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
ROYAL TROOPER won this last year off a 4lb lower mark and is gradually getting his act together again. The ground was a lot faster 12 months ago but James Given's six-year-old also acts on soft and has won over a longer trip so will probably be staying on when others have cried enough. He may capable of giving 12lb to the three-year-old Ultimate Destiny, who is an improving gelding but entering unknown territory over the extra 2f today. Fossgate was beaten in a three-runner race here last week and Michael Appleby's pair Favorite Girl and The Lock Master looks to be up against it at the weights but Ashiri could appreciate the step up in trip and Shaloo Diamond is at home on soft ground and on a winning mark so shouldn't be ignored.
Ashiri (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) In touch, driven and headway over 3f out, soon edged right, kept on final furlong, never able to challenge, 4th of 11, 6l behind Veiled Applause (8-12) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in May.
Royal Trooper (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) In rear, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on from over 1f out, not troubled leaders, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Brockfield (8-9) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
Shaloo Diamond 8-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 2f out, went 2nd and every chance inside final furlong, stayed on same pace final 75 yards, went 2nd last strides, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Pertuis (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 2f ladies hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Fossgate 15-8 (9-4) Tracked leaders, in rear, went 2nd over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 2nd of 3, 1 3/4l behind Kingaroo (8-2) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) hvy.
Favorite Girl (GER) 7-1 (8-4) Dwelt, held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, pushed along over 2f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Getabuzz (8-13) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Jun.
The Lock Master (IRE) 8-1 (8-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 6l behind Cool Macavity (9-2) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Jun.
Ultimate Destiny 2-1fav (9-5) Made all, ridden over 1f out, pressed inside final furlong, found extra towards finish, won at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Jun beating Tidal Way (9-6) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
