pulled hard in rear, headway 7th to track leader, led after 2 out, left clear last, kept on
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression
led, set steady pace, quickened 3 out, headed after next, weakened approaching last
raced keen, tracked leaders, dropped rear after 3rd, outpaced next, kept on under pressure run-in
tracked leader, ridden and effort 2 out, left 6 lengths 2nd last, no impression on winner
Dazzling Rio has enough form to open his account here, with Dilsaa and Lease the main dangers. Dazzling Rio has been a frustrating sort to follow, both on the Flat and over jumps, but showed that he is up to landing a weak race like this when second at both Cartmel and Sedgefield this season. It would be no surprise if he were to find one too good again, but it is so hard to make a major claim for any of his five rivals that he has to be the one. Dilsaa has to contend with almost a stone turnaround in the weights after beating the selection at Cartmel and has been beaten twice since then anyway. Lease only won a seller at Perth but did not shape too badly in better company next time, while Ragu has an absence to overcome. It is desperate stuff and Dazzling Rio's supporters will be very disappointed if he does not oblige.