slowly into stride, pulled hard, headway to lead after 1f, hung right 5f out, headed 3f out, weakened 2f out
led 1f, chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to go 2nd 1f out, no chance with winner
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden and hung left over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, to 1f out, no extra
prominent, led 3f out, edged right 2f out, soon clear easily
held up and pulled hard, headway over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, ridden over 2f out, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, never dangerous
Stronghold and High Arctic set the standard of those with experience and should do their bit to make this competitive. However, Stormy Love stands out on pedigree and is fancied to make an immediate impact at this level. Opalite is a less obvious candidate but hails from a stable that do well at Haydock and is worth considering as an each-way alternative. Opalite was not knocked about on her belated debut at Warwick at the start of this month. She was very slowly away and it soon became obvious that the outing would simply have to be used as a learning curve. She will be wiser as to what is required of her and she could be the surprise package of the race now that Phillip Robinson is doing the steering. Stronghold looked to be getting the hang of things last time and looks a winner waiting to happen. Still, like High Arctic, he is vulnerable to a more progressive type and, with his limitations already highlighted, he is not one to go overboard about today. The selection, Stormy Love, was a far more expensive purchase and, being by Giant's Causeway out of an Irish 1,000 Guineas winner, this former Derby entry makes more appeal in terms of potential. Mark Johnston looks to have found a relatively easy opening for Stormy Love and it will be no surprise to see him fly home today.
Dakota Blackhills 7-1 (9-10) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 9, 9l behind Barcardero (8-7) at Musselburgh 1m 1f mdn stk (5) gf in Apr.
Banzine (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Led after 2f, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 36l behind Rohaani (9-0) at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Apr.
First Fought (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride and behind, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 4th of 6, 9l behind Mountain High (9-0) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) gs.
High Arctic 20-1 (9-0) Started slowly, held up, headway over 7f out, ridden to go 2nd 2f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Mountain High (9-0) at Chester 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) gs.
Stormy Love (IRE) Giant's Causeway out of the Group 1 winning miler Hula Angel.
Stronghold 9-4fav (9-0) Led, 3 lengths clear 1f out, hard ridden final furlong, caught near finish, 2nd of 13, nk behind Alamiyan (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd.
Zendaro 33-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 12, 11l behind Grand Option (8-10) at Pontefract 6f 2yo mdn aut (F3) gd in Oct.
Opalite 14-1 (8-8) Started slowly, always behind, 8th of 11, 12l behind Linnet (8-8) at Warwick 1m fll mdn (5) gd.
