took keen hold and prominent, chased leaders 2f out, ridden and no extra approaching final furlong
tracked leader, led briefly well over 2f out, headed 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
took keen hold, held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace approaching final furlong
pulled hard in rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
set steady pace, led, headed briefly well over 2 out, led again 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on, not pace of winner
started slowly, held up 5th, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, quickened inside final furlong, pushed out
close up and wide, chased leaders 3f out, soon ridden, weakened well over 1f out
Seven runners have been declared for Kempton's Pacemaker Heron Stakes and, with the possible exception of likely outsider Rockets 'N Rollers, all the others seem to have claims. It may be worth concentrating principally on Kalaman and Ikhtyar, both lightly-raced sorts who could therefore be open to more improvement than their more experienced rivals. Kalaman, trained by Sir Michael Stoute for the Aga Khan, landed a Newbury maiden on his second start seven weeks ago and has been noted showing up well on the Newmarket gallops in the interim. John Gosden's Ikhtyar was mentioned as a possible supplementary entry for the Irish 2,000 Guineas at one stage, but in the end connections decided to sidestep that event for this relatively easier contest. The son of Unfuwain, who finished behind Kalaman on his debut, subsequently romped home by five lengths in a Sandown Park conditions event a month ago, seemingly showing much-improved form in the process. Of the others, the Italian 2,000 Guineas third winner Royal Dignitary and Rimrod appear the best, but our selection is Ikhtyar, who can step up again on his Sandown effort.
