took keen hold and tracked leaders on inner, not much room from 2f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong, but never going pace to reach first two
held up, pushed along 3f out, kept on under pressure final furlong to dead heat for 3rd on line
close up on outer, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
took keen hold early, soon with leader, led narrowly inside final 2f, ran on well final furlong
in rear, struggling final 3f
set steady pace, ridden and headed inside final 2f, outpaced approaching final furlong, kept on well for 2nd
Soonest showed his best form to date when upped to six furlongs at Chester last time when suggesting that an extra furlong would not be a problem so he is taken to follow up with Oriental Warrior and Ballykeating considered the main dangers. The last mentioned was never able to get competitive in Redcar's Two-Year-Old Trophy last week but his earlier form suggests that Neville Callaghan's colt is difficult to discount entirely but the better bet for the forecast could be Oriental Warrior, who was a ready winner of a Newbury maiden on his only start so far. He looks a bigger threat than James Fanshawe's Newmarket winner Primus Inter Pares, who would probably prefer a softer surface. Hoh Bleu Dee and Pivotal Guest make limited appeal in a race expected to go to Soonest.
