chased leader, challenged before 2 out, weakened before last
held up, towards rear, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, pulled up before last
behind, headway before 2 out, led last kept on
mid-division, headway before last, kept on
led, pressed from 2 out, ridden and headed last, kept on towards finish
held up, mid-division, outpaced 3 out, headway before last, kept on
chased leaders, went 2nd from 4 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off and pulled up before last
in rear, headway halfway on outer, chased leaders before 2 out, ridden and weakened before last
chased leaders, in 3rd, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
The in-form Richard Newland would not have sent the classy ROYALE KNIGHT (NAP) this far north without good reason. The top weight hasn't won over hurdles since 2012 but was a close-up third off this mark at Ascot in February and 20lb higher when fourth over fences in the Scottish National in April. He's a dour stayer and will be suited by the fast pace likely to be set by the much-improved Wyfield Rose and Not A Bother Boy. Beneficial Joe has been going well and is unlikely to be far away but Malin Bay struggles to get his head in front nowadays. Bellaney Knight will need to up his game to figure in this grade.
Royale Knight 20-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 20th, every chance 2 out, no extra from last, 4th of 28, 4 1/2l behind Vicente (11-3) at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Native Optimist (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Behind, headway 8th, led 4 out, headed approaching and mistake 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 17l behind Pineau De Re (11-8) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Beneficial Joe (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) In rear, headway before 10th, ridden to chase winner from 2 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Patsys Castle (10-11) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Bellaney Knight (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, challenged after 2 out, lost 2nd last, no extra off home bend, 3rd of 6, 13 3/4l behind John Monash (12-5) at Cartmel 2m 6f (4) gs in Aug.
Wyfield Rose 6-1 (10-9) Reluctant to line up, made all, clear from 2 out, easily, won at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Cowslip (11-7) by 19l, 7 ran.
Malin Bay (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Led until 5th, ridden to challenge 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 10, 13l behind Mountainside (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Not A Bother Boy (IRE) 4-1 (10-10) Led until after 3rd, close up in 2nd or 3rd after, jumped slowly 6th, ridden 4 out, led 2 out, headed on extended run-in, stayed on, held close home, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Askamore Darsi (10-10) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Rev Up Ruby 13-2 (11-12) Mid-division, closed 2nd, went 2nd 7th, led after 3 out, clear before last, ridden out, won at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Jul beating Maggie Blue (10-11) by 5l, 9 ran.
Johnny Go 4-1 (11-3) Pressed leader, mistake 2nd, lost 2nd 6th, struggling after 3 out, 7th of 9, 16l behind Baysbrown (11-0) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
