chased leaders, led over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
pulled hard, in touch, lost place over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, never troubled leaders
towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, hung left and stayed on inside final furlong, not troubled first two
chased leader, ridden 4f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, went second over 1f out, no chance with winner
took keen hold, always behind, tailed off final 3f
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Eltihaab would not have to be a world-beater to oblige first time, and is taken to get the better of fellow newcomers Balavista and Java Dancer. With none of those that have raced so far having caught the eye, it would be no surprise if Eltihaab were to prove good enough at the first time of asking. Saeed Bin Suroor's filly bids to keep up the useful strike-rate that Godolphin enjoys with its first-time-out inmates, the current statistic being a healthy 30 per cent. That figure rockets to an amazing 51 per cent if applied to maidens alone, so it goes without saying that Eltihaab will be ready to run well. Her dam won as a two-year-old, and went on to produce the selection's half-brother Hayil, successful in the Middle Park Stakes. Balavista is related to the likes of Binary and Bal Harbour, so is no poor relation, and although Java Dancer cannot boast the same quality of breeding, his stable can also get them ready early. With Alec Stewart's stable in form Mesayan should improve a lot on his distant ninth to Castleton at Newmarket and is worth considering for a place at decent odds, but we shall stick with Eltihaab to make a winning debut.
