soon led, ridden over 1f out, edged right, stayed on well
prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon edged left and beaten
mid-division, outpaced on outside over 2f out, soon well held
led early, prominent, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
in rear, switched right and effort over 2f out, no impression over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden and edged right well over 1f out, stayed on, went 3rd towards finish
held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
slowly away, held up towards rear, headway when not much room over 2f out, soon switched right, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on, no impression on winner
mid-division, closed over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway and ran green 2f out, never on terms
DESERT FRIEND made a winning start at Leicester but came up short under a penalty at Pontefract last time. Even so, Mark Johnston’s colt looks to have little to fear from today’s modest opposition and gets another chance. Rambaldi finished closer over 7f here recently and is going the right way while Adena Star and Fast Strike may also do better today. Luck Of Clover is a half-sister to prolific stablemate Lorelina and preferred to Filles De Fleur of the newcomers.
Desert Friend (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Raced keenly, soon crossed over to lead on rail, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, soon lost 2nd, weakened well inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Never Do Nothing (9-5) at Pontefract 1m stks (4) gd in Sep.
Kandinsky 100-1 (9-2) Raced wide tracked leaders, lost place 4f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 30 1/2l behind Theatre Of War (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f stks (6) pol in Jul.
Millers Creek 50-1 (9-2) Soon pushed along, always towards and outpaced, 10th of 12, 25 1/4l behind Senza Limiti (9-2) at Salisbury 7f stks (4) gd in Oct.
Rambaldi (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Bumped start, towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on, not trouble leaders, 6th of 13, 3 3/4l behind Spencers Son (9-2) at Kempton 7f stks (6) pol in Oct.
Run After Genesis (IRE) 80-1 (9-2) Raced keenly, never nearer than mid-division, pushed along halfway, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 31 1/4l behind King Ottokar (9-2) at Newbury 7f stks (4) sft in Sep.
Adena Star (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Dwelt, in rear, wide last bend, stayed on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 9 1/4l behind Romola (9-0) at Lingfield 7f fll stks (5) pol in Sep.
Fast Strike 40-1 (9-0) Towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, never dangerous, 9th of 11, 11 1/2l behind Vivid Diamond (9-0) at Nottingham 1m mdn fll stks (4) gd in Oct.
Filles De Fleur Gregorian filly out of Big Moza.
Image Of The Moon 100-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, took keen hold, weakened over 2f out, last of 9, 34 1/4l behind Fearless Warrior (9-2) at Kempton 1m 2f stks (4) pol in Sep.
Luck Of Clover Phoenix Reach filly out of Diktalina.