chased along in mid-division, effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly
towards rear, effort 3f out, never a factor
held up behind leaders, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
towards rear, never dangerous
led, ridden and headed 2f out, one pace final furlong
mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
behind, ridden and some late headway, never near to challenge
This is a competitive nursery and a tough one to solve, but Matt Blanc may just have enough to defy a six pound penalty and top weight, with Go Solo, Queenstown and Stealthelimelight others who certainly come into the reckoning. The latter only won a claimer at Chester last time, but had earlier won well in handicap company at Catterick and Neville Callaghan's Royal Applause colt seems sure to go well in his hat trick bid. Queenstown had Go Solo half a length behind him when they were fourth and fifth in a valuable nursery at the St Leger meeting last time, and on a pound worse terms there should not be too much between them again here. Of the pair we just prefer Go Solo, who was favourite at Doncaster, but that was his handicap debut and Barry Hills' colt may have slightly more scope. However, the one they all have to beat, we feel, is Richard Hannon's Matt Blanc. This Night Shift colt has clearly been thriving of late, and he followed a decent second at Chepstow with a runaway victory at Ayr last week. A six pound penalty is certainly not too harsh, and although this is a competitive race, Matt Blanc seems sure to make a bold bid under Kevin Darley.
