tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on well
soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
reared start, held up in 5th, effort on outside over 2f out, chased winner approaching final furlong, no impression
steadied start, held up in rear, ridden and no response 2f out
steadied start, took keen hold, soon tracking leaders, chased winner 2f out until approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
Ed Dunlop's RIQAAB was promising last season and we put our faith in this one to train on well and score ahead of King Supreme and Teasing. A winner on his penultimate start off a mark six pounds lighter the pick has proven his ability to go well fresh with his two best career efforts coming after breaks. With more to come his mark rise shouldn't prove a problem and looks nicely set on these terms. King Supreme returns to the venue of his only turf success, which came off a mark twp pounds lighter. He certainly prefers the ground to be good or quicker and he's weighted to challenge. Teasing looks up against it conceding weight all round but she won well off this mark in a similar contest at Wolverhampton over the winter and while she handles these ground conditions it's been a long time since she last felt grass under hoof. Star Strider and Emperor Court have bits and pieces of form to suggest a challenge could be in the offing but we prefer the chances of Riqaab.
Teasing 14-1 (8-9) Held up, stayed on from over 1f out, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Spring Goddess (8-5) at Doncaster 1m fll hcp (0-85) (4yo+) (4) gd in Mar.
King Supreme (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Brouhaha (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Dove Cottage (IRE) 15-2 (9-9) Chased leader to 3f out, ridden, switched left over 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, 10l behind Rowan Rio (9-4) at Warwick 1m 3f hcap (4) sft in Aug.
Riqaab (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) Held up, steady headway over 2f out, stayed to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Bowder Stone (9-7) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Star Strider 6-1 (8-7) Raced keenly behind, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 5l behind Tous Les Deux (8-9) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Bavarica 11-2 (8-12) Keen, close up, effort when edged right 2f out, soon ridden, went 3rd over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Kings Topic (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) pol in Mar.
Emperor Court (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Held up, behind, ridden 2f out, plugged on, 5th of 6, 4l behind Royal Amnesty (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.