tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, never a factor
led, headed over 5f out, pressed leader 2f out, chance when not much room inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, driven to lead final strides
dwelt, tracked leader, led over 5f out, soon 3 lengths clear, ridden over 2f out, joined inside final furlong, edged left and headed final strides
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, went 2nd final stride
ROYAL DIGNITARY can lead home a regal procession, with Royal Straight put forward as the forecast pick ahead of Stellite and Finsbury. Dandy Nicholls won this contest last year with the prolific Fremen and our pick is going some way to matching that one's achievements by winning his last three races in similar company. The veteran enjoys a fast surface and has won over course and distance and those factors combined with the 10lbs he has in hand according to the official ratings suggest another win is entirely likely. Royal Straight would be a huge threat despite what the figures say had he not disappointed at York last time. Prior to that he'd scored at Nottingham in facile fashion and a mile here should pose a problem, although both his wins have come over 1m2f. He's in the right hands to bounce back and should be capable of taking home second prize. Stellite has won nine times and each of those over seven furlongs so there have to be stamina concerns, but he did run well last time when second to an above-average sort for the grade and has placed over this trip several times in the past; the same may be the case here. Finsbury couldn't beat Royal Dignitary in receipt of 7lbs two starts ago so needs much more to do so off levels, but he did win last time so arrives here in good form. Johnston's Kiwi needs a market check ahead of his debut for Eric Alston but he showed little promise in Irish bumpers and it's Royal Dignitary for us.
Bed Fellow (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Led for about 1f, tracked leader, ridden to regain lead 2f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Sports Casual (8-0) at Ayr 1m 1f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf in May.
Finsbury 5-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, hard driven to lead close home, won at Carlisle 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in May beating Call Of Duty (8-5) by 1l, 10 ran.
Royal Dignitary (USA) 9-4 (9-7) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on gamely inside final furlong, held on well, won at Carlisle 1m clm stks (6) gf in May beating Finsbury (9-0) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Royal Straight 10-3 (8-11) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 8l behind Trip The Light (9-0) at York 1m 4f clm stks (4) gf in May.
San Silvestro (IRE) 9-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 9l behind Rapid City (9-7) at Leicester 1m sell stks (6) gf in May.
Stellite 16-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, took 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Abbondanza (9-8) at Ayr 6f clm stks (6) gf in May.
Johnston's Kiwi (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) In rear, no impression under pressure and kept on same pace without threatening straight, 5th of 11, 21l behind Red Star Boy (11-11) at Roscommon 2m N H flat gf in Sep.
