chased leaders, stayed on inside final furlong, no chance with winner
held up, stayed on strongly from over 1f out, led inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, no impression
held up in rear, ridden and headway on inner over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, soon weakened
towards rear, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leader, ridden to lead entering final furlong, soon headed, no extra
One of the best races on the card this, and with plenty of course winners, we know they're going to handle the surface, but our preference is for REGAL ROYALE ahead of Prescription and Forest Dane. Regal Royale was victorious on turf here last time out, but has won on the Polytrack. Peter Grayson's six year old gelding is the model of consistency, winning or placed in more than a third of his 64 outings. He's always done well at this time of year, and being the yard's only runner, they'll be expecting a return to pay the travelling expenses. He's got a decent draw, and is more than capable of landing this competitive contest. Sir Mark Prescott's banging out the winners, and one of Prescription's three career wins came here last year. He landed a hat-trick following an inauspicious debut, and may have needed a recent seasonal pipe-opener to get ready for a late summer assault on handicaps. He's well drawn, but is joint top-weight and racing off a mark 12 pounds higher than his last win. Forest Dane is 2 from 25 on the all-weather, and the win here three years ago was over the minimum trip, and it's two years since he's been in a winners' enclosure. He gains weight all round though with the exception of our selection, Regal Royale.
Al Gillani (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, 9l behind Street Power (8-12) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in Jul.
Prescription 4-1fav (10-0) Held up and keen, headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 6l behind Jeninsky (9-6) at Doncaster 7f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gs in Jul.
Halsion Chancer 15-2 (9-3) Prominent on stands' rail, kept on inside final furlong, no chance with leaders far side, 6th of 10, 6l behind C'mon You Irons (9-6) at Windsor 6f app hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Ravi River (IRE) 4-6fav (9-9) Took keen hold early, soon tracking leading pair, effort on inside 2f out, soon ridden and left behind by winner, clear 2nd best, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Ryedale Ovation (8-10) at Kempton 7f clm stks (6) pol in Apr.
Ray of Joy 16-1 (9-5) With leaders, ridden to lead well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 6th of 12, 4l behind Olynard (9-4) at Windsor 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul.
For Life (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden to challenge 2f out, no impression final furlong, 6th of 12, 5l behind Misaro (9-0) at Salisbury 5f (4) gd in Jun.
Lastroarofdtiger (USA) 14-1 (8-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 6th of 10, 4l behind More Time Tim (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Jul.
Forest Dane 13-2 (8-9) Held up, headway over 2f out, bumped slightly over 1f out, kept on to go 2nd well inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Whiskey Junction (9-9) at Bath 6f hcp 0-80 (4) fm in Jul.
Regal Royale 20-1 (9-6) With leader, led well over 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-65 (6) gd beating Dr Wintringham (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
