mid-division, ridden 3f out, kept on one pace from over 2f out
broke well, raced keen, steadied 4th, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up in last place, ridden over 2f out, kept on, never dangerous
soon led, ridden and hung left from over 2f out, headed well inside final furlong, lost 2nd post
chased leader 8f out, joined leader 2f out, shaken up to lead well inside final furlong, stayed on
in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
chased leading pair, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, driven and ran on strongly towards finish, snatched 2nd post
John Dunlop has appeared to target this race in the past and The Hoofer gets our vote here. Pharaohs Queen, Riverscape and Barring Decree would appear to rate the dangers. The selection didn't show a great deal at two and is rated around 20lbs below Riverscape but she is bred to get better with age and as she steps up in trip. There are questions to answer but this test should see her in a far better light and her in-form stable have provided two winners, a second and a third from four runners in the past five years and she should be an each-way price. Barring Decree caught the eye in a Lingfield maiden and should be all the better for the experience, Pharaohs Queen has made the frame in both starts and is bred to improve for this trip as is Riverscape who should also be at home on a soft surface. There are some nice fillies on show here with more obvious claims but The Hoofer could provide us with a big run at a big price.
Barring Decree (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) In rear, ridden over 3f out, driven and headway over 2f out, kept on, never dangerous, 6th of 14, 2l behind Summer Winds (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) pol in Mar.
Dancing Ellie 66-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 11th of 13, well behind Cool Judgement (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 1f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct.
L'Orage 100-1 (9-0) Chased leaders until halfway, 15th of 17, 29l behind Kotsi (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) sft in Aug.
Pharaohs Queen (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Started slowly, mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on chase winner final furlong, always held, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Last of The Line (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Nov.
Riverscape (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and edged left over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 4l behind Miss Emma May (9-0) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo mdn fll (5) sft in Oct.
The Hoofer (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Steadied start, behind, headway over 1f out, no impression, 7th of 17, 9l behind Wiseman's Diamond (8-11) at Leicester 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Oct.
Valferno (IRE) Val Royal filly, half-sister to winning sprinter Winning Habits.
Dark Camellia 40-1 (9-0) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 7l behind Brave Mave (9-0) at Leicester 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) sft in Oct.
