slowly into stride, in touch, ridden halfway, one pace final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed and not quickened inside final furlong
in touch, soon ridden, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened and hung left over 1f out
slowly into stride, towards rear, effort halfway, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden halfway, one pace final furlong
In an opener that does not seem to have great strength in depth, Dvinsky is preferred to Dvinsky. Running through the field then. Green Manalishi was second in a run-of-the-mill all-weather maiden at Lingfield last time, with Celadon a neck away in third. They meet on the same terms today and both are entitled to claims. Gerard Butler's Dvinsky cost 200,000 euros and was considered good enough to make his debut in York's Convivial Stakes, a race that tends to produce a number of winners. He ran with promise there and, dropping back in trip, has to be on the shortlist. Island Spell finished two lengths behind him at York after leading to the furlong pole, so the drop in trip might suit him too, although his breeding overall suggests otherwise. Mill Bag cost 110,000 euros and showed promise over six furlongs on his debut. He is a half-brother to a sprinter but there is plenty of 10-12 furlong blood on his dam's side so it will be interesting to see how he reacts to the drop in distance. Sachin looks the weaker of Gerard Butler's entries. Following a promising fourth to subsequent Listed winner Bay Tree at Newbury first-time-up, Intimate Friend was beaten at odd on at Brighton next time. If she can be forgiven that effort, she holds chances here. Motu stepped up on her debut run to finish third at Ripon next time, but more progress is again needed. Overall, then, Gerard Butler's Dvinsky gets our vote.
