slowly into stride, in rear, headway on outer over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
in touch, ridden over 3f out, stayed on final furlong
held up in mid-division and keen, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on
behind, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
with leader, led over 1f out, soon ridden, headed well inside final furlong, one pace
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on no impression
held up in touch, not clear run 2f out, good headway over 1f out, led well inside final furlong
behind, pushed along, hampered inside final furlong, no impression
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway and hung right from over 1f out, one pace
chased leaders, weakened over 1f out
This looks to rest between the two Deserts, Opal and Light, and we take Desert Opal to come home in front, with Flying Edge and Word Perfect others to consider. The selection goes well at this trip and perhaps more importantly has a soft ground win to his name, and with more rain forecast his ability to handle the mud could prove vital. His level of form is as good as anything else and we will side with him. Desert Light is another who tackles his optimum trip here and a repeat of his recent Kempton outing gives him every chance. If he handles cut then he will be a big threat, but he has less experience of the surface and so is opposed. Flying Edge has not been seen since a good ground Ripon win in September but has won on good to soft, has some very solid form, and has won when fresh, while Word Perfect comes from a yard having winners enjoys getting her toe in but has a bit to prove after a dismal recent outing, all of which leads us back to Desert Opal in the finale.
No Time (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Chased leader, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 9, 3l behind Wicked Uncle (8-8) at Kempton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Flying Edge (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Made all, led far side group, ridden and edged right approaching final furlong, kept on, won at Ripon 6f app hcp (5) gd in Sept beating Dark Champion (8-0) by 1l, 16 ran.
Word Perfect 7-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, driven along and lost place halfway, 11th of 16, 12l behind True Night (8-8) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Apr.
Desert Light (IRE) 11-2 (9-1) Held up in rear, rapid headway on rails over 1f out, every chance final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Pippa's Dancer (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcap (6) std.
Dorn Dancer (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Chased leaders far side, ridden 2f out, led group over 1f out, kept on, 4th of 20, 2 1/2l behind Zidane (10-0) at Thirsk 6f hcap (5) gd.
Desert Opal 9-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Our Little Secret (8-4) at Catterick 5f hcap (5) gf.
Millsy 40-1 (8-7) Raced far side, chased leaders 3f, last of 16, 11l behind Jilly Why (9-2) at Nottingham 6f fll hcp (5) gd in Sept.
Geojimali 6-1 (8-11) Steadied and switched right start, behind, no clear run from halfway, 12th of 14, 16l behind Indian Spark (8-13) at Ayr 6f hcp 0-85 (6) gd.
