led far side 2f, soon ridden and weakened quickly over 1f out
held up far side, headway to lead that group 2f out, stayed on but held by near side group final furlong
with leader near side, led briefly 2f out, soon headed and weakened final furlong
led near side to 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong
started slowly, well in rear far side, steady headway final 2f nearest finish
held up near side, progress to lead over 1f out, stayed on until headed well inside final furlong, no extra
behind near side, effort 3f out, soon under pressure and weakened quickly
started slowly, soon in touch far side, stayed prominent until weakened 2f out
raced near side, held up, stayed on well from over 1f out, nearest finish
towards rear near side, never troubled leaders
prominent far side and ridden along, kept on well final furlong, not trouble near side group
tracked leader far side, led after 2f, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace
raced near side, behind, never dangerous
always behind far side
started slowly, held up behind near side, headway over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, driven out
raced near side, in touch until weakened 2f out
held up near side, ridden over 3f out, never troubled leaders
raced far side, behind final 2f
A race complicated by the uncertainty surrounding the draw when the stalls are on the stands' side but, assuming that there is a strong pace set by the likes of Landing Strip and Taranaki, who drawn next to each other near the centre of the course, this could unfold to suit Armagnac, who will have benefited from his reappearance run behind Steel Blue at Doncaster on the opening day of the season. The Mark Buckley-trained selection is 6lb better off with is Town Moor conqueror, who although capable, has not really been the most consistent type to follow since he returned to these shores after a short spell racing on the Dirt in Dubia last year. The revised terms could do for Steel Blue this time around the value call lays elsewhere. Zich and Polar Kingdom are a couple of others to throw into the mix if there are positive indications about them from the betting ring. Whilst Persario hails from a yard that know the time of day with horses of his type and it will be no surprise to see this five-year-old mare put in an improved display this afternoon. James Fanshawe has done very well with members of her family over the years and she is definitely another to have on the shortlist here. However, she does have to prove her suitability for the trip and she is watched with an eye to the future for now. In contrast to Armagnac, who find himself back on a winning mark after struggling with the handicapper last season. The selection has fared well enough with the draw to track the pace from either side and he may find the race develops to bring the best out of him today.
