keen, led for 1f, tracking leader when carried wide bend, and left in lead briefly 9f out, ridden to lead narrowly over 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, led 1f out, pushed along and held on final furlong
held up in rear, struggling final 3f, held off
held up in 6th, driven over 4f out, weakened rapidly, tailed off
keen hold, led early, restrained behind leaders, carried wide bend 9f out, hard ridden and struggling over 3f out, tailed off
started slowly, driven along to lead after 1f, ran wide bend and headed briefly 9f out, ridden and narrowly headed over 2f out, well held when lost second inside final furlong
towards rear, carried wide bend at 9f out, pushed along 5f out, weakened over 3f out
held up in 7th, headway under pressure 2f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression and held when eased near finish
A weak event that will take little winning and this appears another good opportunity for Tasneef while Merrymaker, Compton Eclaire and Mission To Mars are the others to consider. Tim McCarthy's gelding has held his form well this term and gained an overdue success when running out a convincing three-and-a-half length winner over course and distance last week. The four-year-old remains well treated on the pick of his form and this tough and consistent sort has struck up a particularly good partnership with his useful apprentice so looks the one to beat. Compton Eclaire has shown improvement for the fitting of headgear and a step up in trip, getting off the mark at Redcar and was only narrowly denied a follow-up at Brighton last week under a 6lb penalty. Gerard Butler's filly remains unexposed and rates a big threat. Sir Michael Stoute is represented by the beautifully bred Merrymaker but the son of Machiavellian is still a maiden and clearly one of the lesser lights in the yard. He looks worth opposing particularly as he has looked reluctant under pressure on occasion. Mission To Mars landed a small race on the all-weather when last seen out but returns from a break and may just need the outing so Tasneef looks the percentage call.
