pressed leader, ridden over 1f out, weakened to 3rd final 100 yards
went right start, chased leaders, challenged over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on well
reluctant to race, soon driven along and well behind, no progress until stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish
slight lead, ridden over 1f out, headed 1f out, no impression, weakened final 100 yards
reared as stalls opened and bumped, raced keenly, chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, driven and beaten 2f out, weakened rapidly, eased
Kieren Fallon is an interesting jockey booking for Elsie's Orphan and she ran better on her second start as a juvenile at Kempton when last seen in October but she needs to improve on that form on her first start as a three-year-old to get the better of POPPY SEED, who looks the one to beat with Visual Element rated the best of the rest. The selection is trained by Richard Hannon, who has his string in fine form, and she looks the one they all have to beat having stepped up from her only start as a two-year-old when a close third at Salisbury recently. Rod Millman's Blackdown Boy belied market odds when a close second behind The Confessor in a Salisbury maiden at the beginning of the month and he has solid claims on that evidence. Andrew Balding's Dungannon has shown some promise in both starts so far and has to be considered but looks booked for a place at best and of more interest may be Roger Charlton's Visual Element, who should come on for her Kempton debut last month. Richard Hannon's Poppy Seed has an obvious chance though and can give her handler another winner.
Blackdown Boy 33-1 (8-11) Raced alone in centre early, chased winner on stand side halfway, ridden and every chance over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 1l behind The Confessor (9-0) at Salisbury 6f mdn stks (5) gs.
Dungannon 9-4fav (9-0) Raced far side, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 13, 9l behind The Confessor (9-0) at Salisbury 6f mdn stks (5) gs.
Hounds Ditch 100-1 (8-13) Prominent in main group, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 7l behind Hidden Fire (8-7) at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Apr.
Nollaig Shona (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Rear of mid-division, weakened 2f out, 20th of 22, 21l behind Bygone Age (9-3) at Curragh 6f 2yo mdn sft in Oct.
Visual Element (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Pulled very hard, held up towards rear, headway inside final furlong, never on terms, 7th of 10, 9l behind Island Rhapsody (8-12) at Kempton 6f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Apr.
Elsie's Orphan 25-1 (9-0) Towards rear, kept on from over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 11, 4l behind Desert Poppy (9-0) at Kempton 5f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Oct.
Poppy Seed 5-2 (8-9) Raced far side, chased leaders, led that group over 2f out, came clear that side over 1f out, no chance with leading duo standside, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind The Confessor (9-0) at Salisbury 6f mdn stks (5) gs.
