held up towards rear on outer, ridden halfway, no progress from 2f out, soon weakened
ridden along in rear, no impression on leaders final 2f
held up in touch on outer, shaken up 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed clear inside final furlong, comfortable
steadied start, held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on but no impression on leaders
tracked leaders, ridden and lost touch over 2f out, tailed off final furlong
led until headed over 2f out, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders, driven along and lost place 2f out, weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden and effort 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, soon one pace
With Johnny Murtagh booked, Future Deal gets the vote here ahead of a shortlist that included Text and Stargem. The Con Horgan-trained selection showed promise when seventh over seven furlongs at Newbury on good to soft in what appeared to be a better contest than this one. The drop to six furlongs should suit - she is out of a sprinter - and normal improvement alone from that run should see her go well. The big question mark for all of these runners, though, is will they handle the going. From our shortlist, Text put in an improved effort here last time over seven furlongs, which equates to a mark around the mid 60s, while Stargem, much as she was disappointing last time in a handicap, had shown form equating to around the low 70s before that. Of the others, Growler was a beaten favourite last time in first-time blinkers and the drop in trip, on breeding, is not sure to suit although the holding going might, while Sokoke is entitled to improve over today's six furlongs following two placed efforts so fat at five, and Asbo ran reasonably well in handicap company last time, although he was inclined to hang under pressure. All in all, though, in a race where the betting market will tell its own story, the vote goes to Future Deal.
