Verdict

There was cut in the ground when POMPEIA finished a creditable second over today's trip at Newbury on her debut. That looks good enough form to pick up an ordinary maiden and Ralph Beckett's filly can open her account in this. Ronaldinho showed improvement when runner-up at Windsor last time but was still five lengths behind the winner Silver Ridge, who runs in the first race on the card, with Noble Bull well beaten. The latter has subsequently finished a decent second at Newmarket and is preferred to the likes of Herbalist and Fruity Bun.

Formwatch

Benoni Bertolini colt out of Ladykirk.

Herbalist 16-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Verdane (9-3) at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Jun.

Luckster 40-1 (9-3) Prominent, soon outpaced, behind from halfway, last of 5, 22l behind Alhebayeb (9-3) at Nottingham 5f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Jun.

Newtown Cross (IRE) Kheleyf colt out of Sacred Pearl.

Noble Bull (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Raced stand side, chased leaders, headway over 1f out, hung left over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Luhaif (9-3) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.

Ronaldinho (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) In touch, headway halfway, pushed along to chase leaders 2f out, stayed on to 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Silver Ridge (9-3) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) sft in Jun.

Yul Finegold (IRE) Invincible Spirit colt out of Mascara.

Fruity Bun 12-1 (7-13) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2f out, no impression over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Lucky Suit (8-6) at Windsor 6f 2yo sll (5) gs in Jun.

Phoebe's Perfect Tobougg filly out of Water Flower.

Pompeia 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 1f out, effort between horses approaching final furlong, soon every chance, ran on, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Just The Judge (9-0) at Newbury 7f 2yo stks (4) gs in Jun.