pushed along in rear, headway and not clear on 2f out, switched right and ridden, headway approaching final furlong, ran on well inside final furlong, just failed
held up, headway 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
led over 4f, weakened quickly over 1f out
went right start, held up, effort on outside 3f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out
with leaders 4f, weakened final furlong
with leaders, ridden and led over 2f out, soon headed and weakened
chased leaders, ridden and one pace final 2f
pulled hard, tracked leaders, switched right 3f out, led 2f out, soon ridden 3 lengths clear, headed and no extra near finish
chased leaders, hampered and lost place 3f out, ridden and kept on again inside final furlong
Mark Johnston is a rare visitor to Brighton so the hint is taken with Desert Omen who can beat Mister Aziz and Art Elegant. This son of Desert Style has been running over longer trips recently and hasn't been disgraced against decent enough opponents. Back in distance against a very weak field he must have strong claims. Barry Hills trains Art Elegant who has shown a glimmer of ability. He has dropped a few pounds since his first handicap run and has to be respected in this company. Meanwhile Mister Aziz hasn't been beaten far in two recent handicaps and represents in form connections. Cross My Shadow is modest but has some recent placed efforts and may prove best of the others, however Desert Omen has travelled some distance and can pay for the Johnston expenses.
Wasalat (USA) 7-1 (8-7) Prominent, driven along over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 10, 7l behind Dixieanna (8-5) at Doncaster 6f mdn aut stk (5) gf in May.
Windermere Island 25-1 (8-13) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, 10th of 19, 11l behind Bolodenka (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 3yo hcp (5) gd in May.
Art Elegant 14-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon chased leaders, lost place 2f out, soon weakened, 14th of 15, 17l behind Brace of Doves (8-4) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft in Apr.
Zonic 4-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden over 2f out, edged left and outpaced over 1f out, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Wise Owl (9-0) at Pontefract 6f 2yo mdn (D2) frm in Sept.
Desert Omen (IRE) 25-1 (8-5) Always behind, 12th of 13, 14l behind Boo (8-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Mister Aziz (IRE) 33-1 (8-5) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 7th of 19, 3 1/2l behind Sake (8-10) at Redcar 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Homme Dangereux 8-1 (9-5) Raced wide, joined leader 5f out, hard ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out, eased, 7th of 20, 4l behind Lasso (9-3) at Salisbury 7f 3yo hcp (6) gf.
