reared and plunged start, well behind, headway 2f out plugged on final furlong
led 1f, chased winner, driven 2f out, no impression over 1f out
crossed over to lead on rail after 1f, ridden and in command over 1f out, unchallenged
chased leaders on outside, ridden and one pace 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, never going pace and soon pushed along, struggling from halfway, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
started very slowly, always tailed off
slowly into stride, soon chased leaders on outside, well on terms when hung badly right to far rail halfway, saddle slipped 2f out, soon virtually pulled up
in touch on outside, ridden and one pace over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Withdrawn
In a maiden that shouldn't take a great deal of winning Powerful Pierre sets the standard but with Jedd O'Keefe's runner looking exposed in this company we side with newcomer OPERA CAT with Antarctic Desert also considered. Trainer Mark Johnston does better with his three-year-old debutantes than his juveniles and the pick is smartly related. He may be better over further in time but should have enough speed to win over this trip and any market moves in his favour will be interesting. Powerful Pierre is rated 73 and is the standard setter. He proved he's trained on when finding just the one too good on his seasonal bow and after a decent run in a handicap prior to that he could make experience count. Antarctic Desert doesn't have to find much based on the ratings and although Kieran Fallon looks an eye-catching booking he was very poor in handicap company last time. Beat Baby has improved in a couple of efforts but will need to improve leaps and bounds to be winning this so in a weak looking maiden Opera Cat looks worth chancing on debut.
Rosbertini Bertolini gelding out of Rose Of America.
Antarctic Desert (IRE) 10-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced 2f out, weakened 1f out, 10th of 13, 17l behind Dolphin Rock (8-10) at Thirsk 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Apr.
Beat Baby (IRE) 11-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, faded inside final furlong, 7th of 9, 6l behind Businessman (9-3) at York 6f 2yo mdn (2) gf in Aug.
Hong Kong Island (IRE) 150-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, ran wide into straight over 2f out, never a factor, 6th of 8, 4l behind Transmit (9-3) at Catterick 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Apr.
Opera Cat (USA) Storm Cat colt out of Flat Fleet Feet.
Powerful Pierre 17-2 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f, driven inside final, stayed on, always held, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Trade Secret (9-0) at Thirsk 6f mdn auc stks (5) gf in Apr.
Prince Of Fife (IRE) Chineur gelding out of Defined Feature.
Rabbie Burns 80-1 (8-11) Dwelt, headway to chase leaders after 2f, soon hung badly right and unsteerable, soon eased, last of 15, well behind Bated Breath (9-0) at Pontefract 6f mdn stks (5) gd in Apr.
Tabiet Danroad filly out of Frabrofen.
One Cat Diesel (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Raced keenly, led, headed over 3f out, soon ridden, lost place over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 36l behind Harris Tweed (9-3) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Apr.