chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakening when no room over 1f out
made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on well
held up rear, smooth headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no further impression
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, headway 3f out, soon ridden, one pace
held up, ridden and some headway over 2f out, one pace after
held up, driven and not clear run 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not troubled leaders
A tight handicap can go to Ephesus, who makes more appeal than Harrison Point and Last Appointment now that Kieren Fallon has been booked for the ride. However, it is hard to rule out any of the other six runners and it will no doubt be prudent to monitor the activity in the ring as this looks sure to be an active betting heat. Material Witness, who won this race off 72 in decisive fashion two years ago, has to be respected after a fair effort in defeat last time. However, he appears to have a fair bit more to do today and will need to work hard if he is to come out on top again today. Therefore, Ephesus looks a more reliable option after his gutsy win here under a strong drive last month. Fallon, who despite press reports to the contrary, had a very respectable strike-rate of 23% when teamed up with older horses at this track last season. And with his strength in the saddle guaranteed, he has the ideal mount in Ephesus to add to the statistics tonight.