in touch, chased leader approaching 2f out, switched right over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong
keen, held up, ridden 2f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong
slowly into stride, pulled hard in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
pulled hard, led, ridden 2f out, headed and kept on one pace inside final furlong
The usual suspects and THE MAGIC OF RIO is put up at the expense of Gone Hunting and Mandhooma. It doesn't always follow that the best rated horse wins these contests but the filly won well at Southwell over six furlongs and while this is a different surface, she should have too much class for her rivals. Gone Hunting has had a busy year. A consistent sort, he is never far away in claimers of this nature. Mandhooma made a no show on debut for John Gosden at this course but went into many notebooks at Lingfield in plating company for new connections. Now is the acid test for this 1,000 guineas purchase. Fangfoss Girls makes a first run for Lawrence Wells. She shaped with promise at low levels in the springtime but has been put in her place since. Sorrel Ridge should not be good enough at these weights. The Magic Of Rio is accordingly nominated.
Gone Hunting 85-40 (8-11) Close up, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, effort to have every chance just inside final furlong, unable to quicken, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Smokey Ryder (8-11) at Great Leighs 6f 2yo clm (5) pol in Oct.
The Magic of Rio 4-11fav (8-11) Tracked leader, shaken up and quicken to lead over 1f, ran on final furlong, won at Southwell 6f 2yo clm (6) fbs beating Bold Account (8-5) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Sorrel Ridge (IRE) 16-1 (8-6) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 11, 13l behind Monte Mayor Eagle (8-6) at Southwell 6f 2yo sll (6) fbs in Nov.
Mandhooma 16-1 (8-6) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, 5th of 10, 5l behind Art Fund (8-11) at Lingfield 6f 2yo sll (6) pol.
Fangfoss Girls 7-1 (8-2) Started slowly, went right and hampered rivals, behind, headway from 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, not trouble leading pair, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Smokey Ryder (8-11) at Kempton 6f 2yo clm (6) pol.