held up towards rear, pushed along and headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, never near to challenge
mid-division, headway to lead over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon behind
never better than mid-division
held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace
towards rear, pushed along and headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, pushed along over 4f out but was never a factor
prominent, pushed along to lead 2f out, and was driven out final furlong
held up, headway 3f out, not much room over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
led steady pace, headed over 3f out, soon beaten
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
Night Sight gets our vote here ahead of Swynford Pleasure, Merrymaker and Liberty Seeker. Night Sight is a dual course and distance winner, and is now rated nine-pounds lower than for the most recent of those wins, although that came in the summer of 2002. He is capable of running well fresh and cannot be discounted on his seasonal return at a venue he clearly likes. Turning to the others. Kirov King's handicap mark was inflated when he first came to England as he had won twice in Ireland. His rating of 70 is much nearer the mark now but he still has something to prove. Jadeeron has won only once in 40 outings, Distant Cousin is better known as an all-weather runner and Michaels Dream cannot be fancied from out of the handicap. It seems a long time now since Perestroika last won, and while Liberty Seeker is a maiden on the Flat, he has won over hurdles and is the type to go well in this kind of race. Merrymaker is also a maiden but the form of his one-length third to Anak Pekan last August looks extremely good now and Kieren Fallon is a very interesting booking. Maritime Blues scored from a seven-pound higher mark last July over 10 furlongs, so can be fancied on that basis although he has shown little since but today steps up to 12 furlongs for only the second time. Swynford Pleasure is also well-handicapped based on his form of last summer and, with a good three-pound claimer booked, has also to be considered. Inmom is improving and is stepped up in trip today but maybe one or two of the others will have a bit too much experience for him. Given that Night Sight is just five pounds worse off for the nine lengths he finished ahead of Swynford Pleasure at York last October, that swings the decision in his favour, and he is our selection.
