towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish
raced keenly in mid-division, good headway over 1f out, led 1f out, asserted inside final furlong, driven out
started slowly, towards rear, headway from inside final 2f, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders
fly jumped leaving stalls, in rear, some modest late headway, never nearer
went left start, soon tracked leader, ridden and effort and switched right just over 1f out, no room and checked, switched left, not quicken, weakened final furlong
behind, headway over 1f out, carried right and slightly hampered just over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong
always behind, outpaced final 2f
hampered start, soon prominent, ridden and no impression over 1f out, soon weakened
soon led, pressed approaching final furlong, headed 1f out, weakened rapidly
tracked leaders on inside, chased winner entering final furlong, always held
went right start, in touch to halfway, outpaced final 2f
Things couldn't be much tougher for picking the winner of this opener but the vote just goes to PRESSED FOR TIME ahead of Rare Art and Casual Style. In truth pretty much half the field have claims in this sprint but the selection has displayed plenty of decent form on the Polytrack this season and looks to just have the strongest chance. Two back to back victories are sandwiched between two placings on the all-weather with the latest a decent enough looking third here under a lot of weight and over an extra furlong. Those things combined conspired against her and she looks every bit the five furlong specialist. She still may be five pounds higher than her last win but has plenty in hand on her rivals off this mark. Hayley Turner's mount Rare Art was a good winner when staying on well to take a similar contest in testing conditions at Nottingham last time. As a result he will now carry top weight in this race, which after the last run won't necessarily be a problem but in a wide open race like this could be the telling factor. Also in the negative column his only two attempts on the polytrack so far have led to being last of four on debut and well off the pace on his penultimate outing. This one may prove to be a mudlark but has to be respected after the latest appearance. It's really hard to know just how good Casual Style really is after her six length victory in an awful seller at Catterick on her only visit to a racecourse. The filly obviously impressed David Pipe who subsequently paid 14,000 guineas for her and any market support should be taken notice of. Sally's Dillema should also be considered as she drops down in class from her latest when second a long way off the leader at Bath and connections will be hoping she acts on the surface, which she takes on for the first time. Also in with a claim is Sharpener who has plenty of consistent runs under his belt but Polytrack might not be his things and Pressed For Time seems to have just enough in her favour to win it.
Royal Raider 10-11fav (8-9) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 11, 14l behind Alphabeth (8-4) at W'hampton 6f 2yo clm (5) pol in Aug.
Misty Glade 14-1 (8-5) Raced in mid-division, kept on final furlong, no danger, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Sir Geoffrey (8-9) at Kempton 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Casual Style 4-6fav (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, comfortably, won at Catterick 5f 2yo sll (6) gd in Jul beating Lady Fantasie (8-6) by 6l, 8 ran.
Fangfoss Girls 16-1 (8-8) Led, hard pressed from over 1f out, headed close home and lost 4 places near finish, 5th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Happy Forever (8-13) at Kempton 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Sally's Dilemma 5-2 (8-9) Led, driven and headed well over 1f out, soon beaten, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Zezao (8-12) at Bath 5f nov stk (5) gf in May.
Chosen Son (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, driven and headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Rublevka Star (8-12) at Great Leighs 5f 2yo mdn (4) pol in Oct.
Blackwater Fort (USA) 7-1 (9-6) With leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 10l behind Rio Cobolo (8-1) at Nottingham 5f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) hvy.
Sharpener (IRE) 8-1 (8-12) Led until headed just over 1f out, kept on well for 2nd, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Master of Disguise (9-3) at Bath 5f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Pressed For Time (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Took keen hold, chased leaders on outer, went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Ray of Joy (9-5) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Sept.
Final Rhapsody 66-1 (9-0) In touch and keen, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 6th of 11, 6l behind Damaniyat Girl (9-0) at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn fll (4) pol in Oct.
Key To Love (IRE) 13-2 (8-1) Chased leaders, hard ridden and effort over 1f out, soon no impression, 4th of 13, 3l behind Timeteam (9-5) at Great Leighs 6f 2yo clm (5) pol in Oct.
Rare Art 7-2 (9-3) Led far side group, ridden and overall leader over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Nottingham 5f 2yo mdn (5) hvy beating Silent Wonder (9-3) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
