chased leader to 3f out, soon ridden, weakened
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
led, narrowly headed 3f out, stayed challenging until weakened approaching final furlong
took keen hold early, tracked leaders, one pace when hampered approaching 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up, good headway on outside to lead narrowly 3f out, headed under presssure over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly away, green in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, led over 1f out, driven out to hold on
chased leaders, switched left approaching 2f out, stayed on to press winner throughout final furlong
Riqaab's experience may enable him to get the better of newcomers Touchdown, Dance The Star and Top Lock. The handicapper has Dinarius, Hadron Collider and Mahadee rated within a pound of each other and it will be disappointing if at least one of the newcomers can't get the better of them. The selection showed promise in a Doncaster maiden which has yet to work out that well but he also showed up well at Lingfield last month in a mile maiden that looked decent on paper. There should be more to come from this son of Peintre Celebre now that he's stepped up to a trip more in line with his breeding and he appears to be heading the right way. Touchdown, Top Lock and Dance The Star all look the part on paper and all represent yards that are capable of saddling debutant winners. Touchdown and Dance The Star perhaps appeal as likelier winners at the first time of asking and the market should be monitored for signs of confidence. They have it all to prove though so we'll stick with Riqaab for our selection.
Amphibalus (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Always in rear, 13th of 14, 20l behind Summer Winds (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) pol in Mar.
Dance The Star (USA) Dynaformer colt out of winning miler Dance The Slew.
Hadron Collider (FR) 28-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 12l behind Rochefort (9-3) at Windsor 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Mahadee (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, never nearer, 4th of 11, 12l behind Thebes (9-4) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Riqaab (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on, not pace of winner, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Indian Skipper (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 3yo mdn (5) pol in Mar.
Top Lock Nayef colt, half-brother to 6f-1m winner Hoh Bleu Dee and 7f winner Carnivore.
Touchdown Singspiel colt out of middle-distance winner Salim Toto.
Dinarius 7-2 (8-2) Held up in touch, ridden 2f out, went 3rd well over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 3l behind An Scaribh (8-5) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn aut stk (5) fbs in Mar.