soon led, ridden, headed over 2f out, no extra over 1f out
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out
held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened
in rear, weakened over 2f out
A tricky race to call with plenty of exposed runners and the tentative vote goes to King Of Rhythm, who may be up to winning again, while Don Pietro, Supercast and Getrah all have claims. King Of Rhythm was soundly thrashed last time out at York, but closer inspection of his three previous runs gives him every chance off this mark. He acts on any ground and comes from a yard going well. Don Pietro has not won over this far, but he has got 9f well enough, acts on any ground, and if you are prepared to forgive his last run then he'd have a squeak. Jim Goldie's Darfour has stamina to prove, and the same can be said of Getrah who is proving a shade disappointing but has always suggested he has ability. Supercast is interesting over this longer trip and looks a likely danger off a mark of 66, so if the ground stays fast look out for any market moves, while Valdan is worth a second look now back to 10f and despite a thrashing on Wednesday, is no forlorn hope. It's open then, and the suggestion is King Of Rhythm.
Dragon Slayer (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Soon led, ridden 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, last of 7, 8l behind Mataram (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
King of Rhythm (IRE) 7-1 (9-1) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 13th of 16, 25l behind Goodbye Mr Bond (9-9) at York 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Hawkit (USA) 16-1 (9-4) Steadied start, in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 6th of 9, 12l behind Osteopathic Remedy (9-4) at Ayr 1m hcap (5) gf in May.
Supercast (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind It's A Dream (8-10) at Hamilton 1m hcap (5) gf.
Darfour 8-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, 4th of 5, 1 1/2l behind Society Music (8-13) at Hamilton 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Valdan (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, led 9f out, headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 11l behind Hits Only Vic (9-4) at Ripon 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Second Reef 80-1 (8-8) Always towards rear, 12th of 14, 18l behind Defi (8-11) at Musselburgh 1m clm (6) gd in Nov.
Don Pietro 6-1co-fav (9-6) In touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 19l behind Willow Dancer (9-4) at Bath 1m hcap (5) gd.
Getrah 17-2 (8-4) Towards rear, effort over 2f out, some late headway, never reached challenging position, 7th of 11, 6l behind Veiled Applause (9-0) at Ripon 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in May.
