chased leaders, effort 2 furlong out, ridden and one pace over 1 furlong out, lost 2nd inside final furlong
behind in touch to halfway, weakened 2 furlong out
prominent, chased along over 2 furlong out, kept on same pace
behind, headway over 1 furlong out, stayed on final furlong to take 2nd, not pace to trouble winner
made all, shaken up 2 furlong out, ran on well inside final furlong
steadied start, held up behind, effort to chase leaders 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1 furlong out
tracked winner to 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders 2f, outpaced over 2f out, weakened quickly
close up, effort over 1f out, one pace final furlong
The booking of Kieren Fallon for Badou is enough to give the four-year-old a confident vote here and the son of Averti is expected to confirm his superiority over Harbour House and Kilmeena Star; even though this trip may be a fraction shorter than his ideal now. However, as most of his rivals are also on the downgrade, he is given the benefit of the doubt today. There is no one better at drawing the most out of frustrating horse than the reigning champion jockey and Badou, as a horse that needs plenty of encouragement in his races, is expected to be hard to get past if he copes with this first try at the minimum trip for over a year. Kilmeena Star also has a little to prove regarding the trip but arrives here in good form and is the best alternative if the vibes are negative about Badou.