led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra near finish
close up, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on
awkwardly away held up, weakened 2f out
taken to post early, towards rear, pushed along 3f out, hung left from over 1f out, never a factor
raced wide tracked leader, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead towards finish
held up, ridden 2f out, never a factor
close up, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed towards finish
close up, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd towards finish
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on
dwelt always in rear
in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out
Roy's Legacy bids for a hat-trick back on Turf and beat Frank The Barber at Chelmsford last week. The latter was also beaten by Chip Or Pellett at Newcastle in September, though Nigel Tinkler’s charge hasn’t raced since. Major Valentine completed a double over 6f with a recent success at Catterick but is upped 3lb and Doctor Parkes never looked like catching the winner when runner-up at Brighton a week ago. CHINA EXCELS should be sharper for a recent run at Wolverhampton. He won off today’s mark at Beverley last year and gets a speculative vote in this opener.
China Excels 20-1 (9-4) Chased leader until ridden over 1f out, hung right and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 3 3/4l behind Bahango (9-7) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Flicka's Boy 10-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 3 1/4l behind Royal Mezyan (9-3) at Newcastle 5f hcp (5) pol in Oct.
Show Palace 10-1 (8-12) Hampered start, chased leaders, effort when not clear run entering final furlong, switched left, ran on, 9th of 16, 2 1/4l behind Pensax Lad (9-7) at Nottingham 5f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Ambitious Icarus 7-1 (9-6) Towards rear, ridden and effort 3f out, never able to get on terms, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Blue Jacket (9-2) at Catterick 6f hcp (6) gf in Apr.
Major Valentine 3-1fav (9-2) Soon led, ridden 2f out, stayed on strongly, won at Catterick 6f hcp (6) gf in Apr beating Clergyman (8-9) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Whitecrest 22-1 (8-13) Towards rear, driven and struggling over 2f out, stayed on final 100 yards, no impression, 7th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Bahamian Sunrise (9-4) at Brighton 5f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Doctor Parkes 6-1 (9-1) Chased winner throughout, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Beau Mistral (9-2) at Brighton 6f hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Roy's Legacy 12-1 (9-1) Disputed lead until led over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (6) pol in Apr beating Hurricane Alert (8-7) by 1l, 12 ran.
Frank The Barber (IRE) 11-4fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2 1/4l behind Roy's Legacy (9-1) at Chelmsford City 5f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Chip Or Pellet 9-1 (8-7) Held up, headway going well 2f out, led over 1f out, edged left and clear inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Newcastle 5f hcp (6) pol in Sep beating Frank The Barber (9-6) by 2l, 10 ran.
Clon Rocket (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Mid-division, outpaced 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 18l behind Space War (9-9) at Wolverhampton 6f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Bilash 150-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f ou, 8th of 9, 14 3/4l behind Dandilion (9-2) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
