raced on inside rail to over 3f out, prominent, hard ridden, weakened inside final 2f
raced on inside rail to over 3f out, held up, ridden and no chance final 2f
chased leaders, hard ridden 2f out, soon beaten
chased winner throughout, ridden 3f out, no impression inside final 2f
prominent, ridden and outpaced 3f out, kept on final furlong but never dangerous
held up in rear, headway 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong but never able to challenge
made all, ridden 2f out, drew well clear over 1f out, stayed on well
raced on inside rail to over 3f out, prominent until weakened quickly over 2f out
raced on inside rail to over 3f out, prominent until weakened over 2f out
raced on inside rail to over 3f out, started slowly, recovered and soon in touch, weakened 3f out
took keen hold, in touch, effort over 2f out, soon ridden and beaten
As you would expect, it's a competitive line-up for the Jubilee Stakes but we give a good chance to Desert Opal, with Flowerdrum, Thihn and Digital among a number of others to consider. The selection has not quite lived up to his billing yet but, well-regarded at home, might now be set to do himself justice in this 0-100 affair. He won twice last season at this trip and is now six pounds higher than for the second of those wins but can still go well. The same can be said of Flowerdrum, who has been raised seven pounds for a Yarmouth win 21 days ago but, given that she should be improving, might still be reasonably handicapped off a mark of 83. It could be that give in the going suits her ideally but, with Kieren Fallon booked, if she takes her chance she should go well. Norton hasn't won since 2002 but is now dropping in the ratings, while Thihn is a standing dish in these types of races and wins in his turn. This should be like Audience's level and he must have ability as he ran in last year's 2,000 Guineas, while Cornelius is not on a bad mark for what he has achieved. Irony is the sole course and distance winner in the race but remains five-pounds higher in the ratings than for that win; Sri Diamond appeared not to stay this trip on his final start last season, but Devant is back to near a winning mark, a similar comment applying to Digital. As we say, it's competitive, but we take Desert Opal to win and start justifying his good reputation.
