pulled hard, led after 2f, clear over 6f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakening when not much room entering final furlong
led, headed after 2f, ridden and led again over 1f out, edged left entering final furlong, stoon headed and no extra
held up in touch, pushed along 3f out, staying on when short of room entering final furlong, switched right, kept on near finish
hampered start, keen, held up in rear, headway over 2f out, effort inside final furlong, held near finish
held up in touch, pushed along 4f out, led inside final furlong, pushed out
held up in touch, ridden and weakened over 3f out
towards rear, never troubled leaders
went left start, always towards rear
Several of these have claims in a competitive contest including Kristal's Dream and Sound Blaster but the vote goes to Meadaaf. Alex Stewart's colt showed promise in three starts last term but should step up markedly on his two-year-old form over today's longer trip. By Swain, out of a Silver Hawk mare, his stamina seems assured and Meadaaf gets the vote. Andrew Balding's Sound Blaster opened his account when landing a maiden at Bath in September but has a penalty to carry here and is difficult to recommend. Of more interest may be Pontefract winner Kristal's Dream, who hails from the in-form stable of John Dunlop. John Gosden's horses are more forward than usual so Slavonic has to be respected. Paul Blockley's Key Partners has more to do than when winning in the soft at Warwick last time and preference is for Meadaaf in the hope that he is fit enough for his return over a trip that should bring about improvement.
