led, ridden along halfway, headed inside final furlong, chased winner home
chased leaders, ridden along halfway, weakened over 1f out, eased down inside final furlong
outpaced and soon chased along, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
held up in touch, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up behind leaders, shaken up approaching final furlong, led inside and ran on
Gift Horse gets the call here ahead of Pivotal's Princess and Baron's Pit. Pivotal's Princess has earned a crack at this level following her course and distance handicap win although, to be fair, she has to improve again based on official ratings if she is to score. Baron's Pit was at one time very useful and he has shown that he retains ability with his latest two runs, while the 2005 Stewards Cup winner, Gift Horse, failed to build on that success last season but cannot be ruled out if anywhere near his best. Chookie Heiton holds claims if getting back to his course and distance Lsted win of last season, but Masta Plasta needs to find some improvement and Avertuoso has to find even more. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Gift Horse.
Baron's Pit 11-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 3l behind Sierra Vista (8-9) at Haydock 6f stk (2) gd.
Chookie Heiton (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Always rear division, 21st of 28, 12l behind Baltic King (9-10) at Ascot 6f hcp 0-110 (2) gf in Jun.
Gift Horse 20-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, weakened entering final furlong, 12th of 17, 7l behind Amadeus Wolf (9-2) at York 6f Yorks Oaks (1) gd.
Masta Plasta (IRE) 14-1 (9-3) Towards rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous, 15th of 16, 11l behind Terentia (9-6) at York 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gs.
Pivotal's Princess (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, driven over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Beverley 5f hcap (3) gf in Apr beating Cape Royal (8-8) by 3/4l, 18 ran.
Avertuoso 33-1 (9-4) Dwelt, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Morinqua (9-0) at York 5f 3yo hcp (3) gd.