held up, effort to dispute 2nd over 1f out, ridden and soon one pace
made all, ridden 2f out, ran on
chased winner, reminders 9f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, short of room 4f out, soon switched right, ridden and kept on inside final furlong
In an event where all the runners can be given a sniff a the pointer falls firmly on Madhavi over likely favourite Mostarsil and Jackie Kiely. Both the selection and Mostarsil won at Bath a fortnight ago, with Madhavi scoring over this trip while Gary Moore's runner was completing a double in the 2m 1 furlong event, with Madhavi benefiting from a fine ride from the front by Richard Hughes. Tactics may well play a hand again today in this small field and Madhavi is expected to have the more basic speed. The son of Diktat is on an upward curve and has relished the recent fast conditions and with no obvious front runner Richard Hughes may be allowed an uncontested lead. Mostarsil is an obvious threat and his resolution has been much better this season. Ryan Moore gets on well with his father's horse but with the animal a hold up merchant Moore's hand may be tied and ultimately that may prove his downfall. Jackie Kiely, now with Steff Liddiard, was due to run at Chepstow yesterday and may not turn up, but would face a stiff task if he did, while Blackmail seems to need some respite from the handicapper. The portents are all right for Madhavi, providing the ground stays fast, and he is a confident selection.
Mexican Pete 10-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 11, 18l behind Sir Monty (9-5) at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Mostarsil (USA) 15-8fav (10-0) Prominent, headway and led over 2f out, driven clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) frm beating Redspin (8-7) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Madhavi 7-4fav (9-3) Made all, shaken up and quickened over 2f out, clear 1f out, kept on well, won at Bath 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) frm beating Ground Patrol (9-7) by 2l, 7 ran.
Jackie Kiely 7-2jt-fav (9-7) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 1f out, ran on close home, 2nd of 8, hd behind Seattle Robber (9-2) at Brighton 1m 2f app hcp (6) frm.
Blackmail (USA) 16-1 (9-6) Pulled hard, headway 6f out, led inside final 4f, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 15, 5l behind Great View (10-0) at Newbury 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (5) gf.
