mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
never better than mid-division
outpaced, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest at finish
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed final furlong, not quicken
towards rear, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, led final furlong, driven out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway over 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on inside final furlong
always towards rear
Roman Empire gets a narrow verdict over Larky's Lob, Gilded Cove, Pays d'Amour and Brantwood. Roman Empire appreciated the strongly-run race when beating Larky's Lob over the course and distance last month and on today's terms there is no reason why he should not uphold the form. However, it has to be said that Larky's Lob has been a model of consistency this year, and bids to follow up his easy victory at Wolverhampton a fortnight ago. He had the race in the bag a long way out, with the drop back to the minimum not bothering him at all. The five-year-old seems very versatile as regards his best trip and in fact is a course and distance winner here. He is sure to be prominent early on and try and dictate matters in his current mood is again the main danger. Gilded Cove is another that has prevailed over track and trip before and has won two of his last three starts. Brantwood is interesting of those that have not visited the winner's enclosure recently as he was a fair third to Caustic Wit at Haydock last time. That was not a bad effort and he is starting to look well-handicapped these days. Pays d'Amour was beaten in a claimer here last time but that was over seven furlongs and so he cannot be discounted. Although Larky's Lob is in form, we reckon that Roman Empire will once again have his measure.
