mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, outpaced before next, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, fell 1st
raced keenly, led to after 2nd, tracked leader, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before next
took keen hold, led after 2nd, driven and headed before 2 out, ridden and no chance with front pair between last 2, weakened last
held up, always in rear, mistake 4 out, weakened next, pulled up before next
mid-division, headway 3 out, challenged before next, soon ridden and outpaced, no chance with winner between last 2
tracked leaders to 4th, mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, went 3rd and kept on after last, never a threat
in touch on outside, reminders after 5th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next
held up, always behind, struggling 4 out, weakened after next, pulled up before 2 out
If trailblazing tactics of Royal Road are going to bear fruit it's going to be on a sharp track on good ground in a selling hurdle. He had little chance against two promising sorts when last seen but should give a good account dropped in grade, especially if Tom O'Brien can conserve sufficient petrol for late on. The drop back in trip should see Olly Murphy's Irish import, Bantiss Jack, bang on the premises but Gordon Elliott has such a good record when sending raiders from Ireland and his SKEAPING looks capable of giving weight away all round. He enjoyed a nice preparatory experience in a charity race at the Curragh on Sunday and the champion jockey is booked.
Skeaping 8-1 (12-3) 5th of 13, 7 1/4l behind Neverushacon (12-9) at Curragh 1m 4f gf in Jul.
Bantiss Jack (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Held up in mid-division, headway 4 out, weakened before next, 5th of 8, dist behind Moans Cross (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f mdn (5) gd in Jul.
Du Chatelier (FR) 150-1 (11-2) Prominent, pushed along and weakened from 4 out, soon tailed off, 11th of 12, dist behind Scaramanga (10-8) at Taunton 2m mdn hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Friary Gold (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Led, bumped 1st, headed after 6th, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 12, 24l behind Chef De Troupe (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Jun.
Royal Road (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Led and soon clear, reduced lead 3 out, headed and weakened into 3rd after next, 3rd of 8, 28 1/2l behind Simply Loveleh (10-11) at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Soldier Blue (FR) 28-1 (9-2) Hampered start, behind, under pressure over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 11, 3 3/4l behind Hard Solution (9-0) at Catterick 6f stks (6) gf in Jul.
Throckley 100-1 (9-10) Held up mid-division, took closer order after 4f, lost place over 4f out, eased well over 1f out, last of 9, dist behind Distant Chimes (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Jul.
Why Lie (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Led until 1st, led 3rd, headed and mistake next, lost place after 3 out, 11th of 17, 33 1/2l behind Bazarov (11-7) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Mar.
Doctor Jazz (IRE) 22-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, sent forward into mid-division, under pressure over 6f out, weakened over 4f out, eased over 2f out, virtually pulled up, last of 9, dist behind Gas Monkey (9-6) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (5) gf in Jul.
Roue De Charrette 50-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 14, 26 1/2l behind Champagne Marengo (8-13) at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Jul.
Pinot Noir 100-1 (10-12) Well off the pace in rear, never on terms, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Simply Loveleh (10-11) at Stratford 2m (4) gd in Jul.
