soon towards rear, ridden in last pair after 6th, headway and rallying when left 3rd 4 out, disputing 2nd when mistake last, went modest 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
chased leaders on inside, reminders before 10th, ridden after 4 out, weakened before next, 4th and well held when fell last
chased leader until not fluent 7th, chased leaders jumped left 10th weakened before next, tailed off when went left 2 out
chased leading pair, 2nd at 7th, lost 2nd 10th, chased leaders blundered badly and nearly unseated rider 4 out, tailed off when blundered badly 3 out, soon pulled up
led, hit 8th, jumped right 10th, headed approaching 4 out, weakened rapidly, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
raced wide, in touch, headway chasing leaders 5th, close 3rd when mistake 7th, went 2nd 10th, led approaching 4 out, clear 3 out, stayed on strongly,
in rear, chased leaders 4 out, plugging on when left modest 4th last
held up in last pair, steady headway after 7th, driven along before 4 out where left 2nd, dropped to 3rd towards finish
Modest fare but ROYAL ACT is one of the more consistent ones on show and lived up to his name by getting his act together to oblige here last time. He is up 4lb for that victory but the booking of Richard Johnson takes the eye as well as his being the only course winner in the field. He is taken to confirm form in that contest with Tikkinthebox, with Caviar D'Allen nominated as the main danger to the selection after producing a greatly improved effort at this venue last time when runner-up to Vado Forte. Lillington and Nansaroy have shown some ability but have proved hard to catch right, with the latter looking the better of the pair to add to the shortlist.
Lillington (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Led, reminders 9th, jinked right and unseated rider 10th, at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Nansaroy 5-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened from last, 4th of 5, 10 3/4l behind Cawdor House Bert (10-6) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Caviar D'Allen (FR) 8-1 (10-8) Prominent in chasing group, 2nd after 2 out, no impression on winner but well clear of rest flat, 2nd of 15, 9l behind Vado Forte (11-6) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Beni Light (FR) 15-2 (12-0) Always towards rear, pecked badly 10th, never on terms, tailed off in 6th when tried to refuse 2 out, pulled up before next, at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Tikkinthebox (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Led, mistake 3 out, driven after 2 out, headed flat, 3rd and no extra close home, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Royal Act (10-11) at Taunton 2m hcp (5) hvy in Mar.
Royal Act 10-3 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, led flat, stayed on well, won at Taunton 2m hcp (5) hvy in Mar beating Show's Over (10-7) by 1l, 5 ran.
Coudefoudre (FR) 20-1 (10-6) Blundered 1st, held up in touch until sprawled on landing and unseated rider 5th, at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Kahdian (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Led until 1st, led after 3rd, not fluent and headed 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 16, dist behind Bandon Roc (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
