raced wide early, settled in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway between horses over 1f out, driven and stayed on to go 2nd close home, never able to challenge
tracked winner until ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked winner, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
raced wide, in rear, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out
in touch, ridden and kept on same pace final 2f
made all, quicken 2 lengths clear 2f out, ridden out, unchallenged
Richard Hannon's ROYAL EXCHANGE has shown improved form of late on soft ground but should not be inconvenienced by the return to faster going, has plenty in hand on official BHA ratings, and looks the one to beat in this valuable contest. David Simcock's Weapon Of Choice is hard to weigh up after just two starts so may be best watched and of more interest may be Michael Bell's Star Surprise, who won well at Sandown last time. Ann Duffield's Zenella ran well on heavy ground at Warwick recently and makes more appeal than Mick Channon's Rigolleto, who finished last of the seven runners in York's Acomb Stakes on his most recent start. Andrew Balding's Time To Work completes the sextet but seems an Epsom specialist even this early in his career.
Royal Exchange 9-4fav (8-12) In rear, ridden 2f out, ran on towards finish, gaining on leading pair, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Rerouted (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) sft in Sep.
Rigolleto (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Prominent, pushed along 3f out, ridden and no impression 2f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 16l behind Waiter's Dream (9-0) at York 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.
Star Surprise 9-1 (9-7) Made all, driven over 1f out, soon challenged, ran on inside final furlong, stayed on gamely, won at Sandown 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Sep beating May's Boy (7-6) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Time To Work (IRE) 7-2 (9-2) Held up in touch, driven and effort over 3f out, every chance from 2f out, led just inside final furlong, kept on under pressure, won at Epsom Downs 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) hvy beating One Lucky Lady (8-2) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Weapon Of Choice (IRE) 10-11fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, driven clear approaching final furlong, ran on well, won at Goodwood 1m 1f 2yo mdn (4) gs beating Kadoodd (9-3) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Zenella 5-1 (9-0) In touch, effort over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd near finish, not pace to challenge winner, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Bunce (8-5) at Warwick 6f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) hvy.
