Formidable Guest in touch, carried wide 1st bend and dropped in at rear, headway to chase leading pair over 3f out, stayed on to lead final stride

Kings Topic dwelt, took keen hold, soon tracking leaders, led over 2f out and went 3 lengths ahead, hard ridden and hung badly right final furlong, caught final stride

Binnion Bay started slowly, took keen hold, in touch after 3f, effort and driven along 3f out, stayed on well final furlong, not reach 1st two

Western Roots led until over 2f out, carried right by runner-up inside final furlong, one pace

Ground Patrol started slowly, behind, ridden 4f out, some late headway

Mtoto Girl chased leader until halfway, outpaced and ridden over 3f out, no danger after

Cherri Fosfate in touch until weakened over 4f out

Forfeiter chased leaders until weakened over 3f out

Namibian Pink in touch, ridden and weakened quickly 5f out, soon well behind

Like in the previous race, the new winning distance of a nose had to be called after FORMIDABLE GUEST cruelly denied Kings Topic on the line. Like the previous race, the winning time reflected the overall standard. Fair play to the jockey of the winner, who was pushing along 4f out - and fair play to his willing accomplice too, who though drifting right, as did all the first four home, never gave up the chase and was rewarded in the last stride. This was Formidable Guest''s second course and distancevictory, and he appreciated the return to this distance.

Binnion Bay, whose cause wouldn''t have been aided by a slow start, looks handicapped to win a weak event like this, and continues in consistent form.

Western Roots was up 8lb for his last-time-out victory at Kempton, and that proved a sufficient anchor, though he finished well clear of the fifth.

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