mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway to lead 3f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, kept on after
held up, ridden over 3f out, some headway over 2f out, no impression after
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong
led until ridden and headed 3f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, never on terms
We will opt for Millagros here ahead of Harry Potter, Pharoah's Gold and Sting Like A Bee. Millagros is back to a mark that is one-pound higher than for his Musselburgh win last October and, with Tom Eaves taking off a useful three pounds, that, for us, brings him right into the argument. German import Harry Potter is now just two-pounds higher in the ratings than for his Thirsk win in April. He too has to be considered, and had sufficient class to win at Listed level in his native land. To be fair, Extinguisher has been disappointing since arriving from France and is now tried in blinkers and over a longer trip than he has so far encountered. Nemo Fugat hails from the same stable and, while he is extremely well handicapped on his 2002 form, recent efforts have not been encouraging. Of the others, Pharoah's Gold wins his share and should be competitive again for some money, while three-time all-weather winner Buscador can't seem to translate fibresand efforts into Turf form. Sting Like A Bee finished five lengths behind Pharoah Gold at Hamilton in April but is five pounds better off and has a good three-pound claimer booked to ride. Luxor is now back to a winning mark, even despite racing from out of the weights, but the form he showed to beat Analyze at Nottingham in 2002 seems a distant memory now. Once again, for us the vote goes to Millagros.