tracked leaders and rear, ridden 3f out, not quicken final furlong
tracked leader, led 4f out, kept on well
led to 4f out, no extra entering final furlong
It hasn't taken long for Richard Fahey to drop VISIONS OF JOHANNA in grade and his decision can be vindicated although he has a bit to do at the weights with Ozone Trustee whilst neither Heroes nor Birkside can be dismissed. Heroes was gambled on over hurdles in April but proved less than willing and failed to respond to his rider's urgings but he has ability as he showed when running out a well backed winner of a similar race at Brighton and should go well if lining-up. Birkside has been a prolific winner in his time and has joined a respected yard; he hasn't run too badly in competitive handicaps this term and is feared. Ozone Trustee is the pick at the weights but he lacks a recent run and has finished well held on his last three starts, including twice over hurdles; consequently, he has something to prove. Visions Of Johanna didn't live up to his billing for Jeremy Noseda and changed hands cheaply in the summer. He lacked the pace to get competitive over a mile on debut for this yard at Haydock so looks well worth trying over this markedly longer trip. The sounder surface will suit and the run may have brought him on a little so we'll go with Visions Of Johanna.
Visions of Johanna (USA) 10-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest at finish, 5th of 10, 7l behind Angel Rock (8-9) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-90 (3) sft.
Birkside 10-1 (9-4) Held up, not much room over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression, 8th of 16, 9l behind Spring Jim (9-5) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Ozone Trustee (NZ) 11-1 (8-11) Prominent, effort over 3f, soon beaten, last of 13, 27l behind Meshtri (8-10) at Haydock 1m 6f hcap (3) gf in Sep.
Heroes 4-1 (9-5) Held up, headway 3f out, went 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, pushed clear, comfortably, won at Brighton 1m clm stks (6) gd beating Mick Is Back (8-11) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
