held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, chased leader, ridden every chance when rider lost whip, bend approaching 3 out, soon beaten
held up last, joined leaders 5th, ridden and weakened after 7th, soon no chance
chased leader, led on 5th, quickened clear 3 out, unchallenged
prominent, ridden 5th, weakened 6th, soon behind
led until ridden and headed 5th, soon weakened
A small but competitive field goes to post for the first on the card but the principals look to be Mantilla, L'Etang Bleu and Royal Prodigy and we will take a chance on Mantilla. The gelding from the Ian Williams yard won well last time out when defeating Grey Ciseaux and although he is taking a drop in distance here he has plenty of pace and that should not bother him. L'Etang Bleu rates the main danger as he was a fair second behind his stablemate Royal Prodigy last time but should gain revenge on that rival here as he is much better off at the weights. Of the remainder, Indian Beat could go well off a lowly mark but he is still a maiden so the confident vote goes to Mantilla.
