tracked leading trio, went 3rd over 3f out, ridden and rider dropped reins briefy over 2f out, soon not clear run on rail and switched right, driven and stayed on into 2nd over 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
made all, brought field towards near side in straight, went to rail over 2f out, reminder well over 1f out, pushed clear and stayed on strongly final furlong
tracked winner until 5f out, chased leading pair until pushed along over 3f out, weakened soon after, eased well over 1f out, tailed off
tracked leading pair, went 2nd 5f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden and no impression and weakened into 3rd over 1f out
held up well in rear, plugged on into modest 4th inside final 3f, never involved
Altaayil, a 550,000gns yearling, is a half-brother to four winning stayers so should come into his own over further, a remark that also applies to the newcomer Pennine Panther. Black Shadow was well supported on his reappearance at Windsor but couldn't quite get past Honor Bound, who boosted the form with a Listed success at Lingfield. He'll take some beating but SKILLED made a very good impression on his only start in heavy ground at Salisbury in October, a race that has worked out well, so he's taken to make a successful reappearance. Randwick showed some potential on his debut and went into Listed company at Chester where he wasn't disgraced but, after a promising run on Polytrack at Lingfield, Saarrem floundered in the soft ground at Doncaster and finished tailed off.
Altaayil (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 9l behind Zaeemah (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Apr.
Black Shadow 7-2 (8-11) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 4f out, chased leaders over 3f out, disputing 2nd and every chance when carried left inside final furlong, went 2nd but just outpaced towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Honor Bound (8-6) at Windsor 1m 2f mdn stks (5) sft in Apr.
Pennine Panther Notnowcato gelding out of Kozmina.
Randwick (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Held up in last pair, rapid headway on wide outside 5f out, chased leading pair over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, lost 3rd over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, edged left and no extra over 1f out, weakened, 6th of 7, 8l behind Kingfisher (9-0) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo lst stk (1) sft.
Skilled 9-1 (9-5) Dwelt, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Field Of Fame (9-5) at Salisbury 1m 2yo mdn (4) hvy in Oct.
Saarrem (USA) 5-4fav (8-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 10, well behind Clever Cookie (9-13) at Doncaster 1m 4f mdn stks (5) sft in Apr.
