close up, ridden 3f out, outpaced 2f out, kept on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
held up last, in touch, ridden and outpaced 3f out, soon beaten, never dangerous from over 2f out
took keen hold early, tracked leaders, slightly outpaced over 2f out, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong, not trouble first two
tracked leader, shaken up 3f out, led over 2f out, soon clear, pushed out, easily
led at steady pace, quickened over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on until weakened final furlong
A competitive opener despite the smallish field and Old Malt can get the better of his rivals. A winner of two of his last three starts, he represents solid juvenile form and, with his rider taking seven pounds off his back, could well be the one to be on. Naaddey has been highly tried since winning at Beverley in July, and ought to go well. Queenstown hasn't quite developed as might have been expected since running well here in his first two runs but, possessing plenty of physical scope, can go well on a track he has shown he can handle. Prime Powered nearly caused an upset here last time when just touched off by Camrose so will have his supporters too. This brings us to Penzance. The flashily coloured son of Pennekamp is a brother to Soviet Song. He won fairly tidily on his Haydock debut in an average affair but is sure to have come on substantially for that run. Will it be enough to see him home today? We shall soon find out but, for us, Old Malt might just have a thing or two to say on the matter.
