took keen hold, tracked leader until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, no impression when carried left inside final furlong
held up in 4th tracking leaders, effort over 2f out, soon challenging, disputing lead from over 1f out, until not pace of winner final 100 yards, kept on, went 2nd on line
led at steady pace, increased tempo 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, outpaced over 1f out, beaten when hung left inside final furlong
tracked leading pair, challenged over 2f out, led narrowly 2f out, kept advantage until headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards, kept on, lost 2nd post
held up last, effort on inside over 2f out, ridden to chase leading pair over 1f out, quickened to lead final 100 yards
The penultimate race on the card has only five runners going to post but all five have a genuine chance of taking this prize. The horse we fancy is ZUIDER ZEE, simply because we feel the handicapper has been quite lenient with him. Connections quite like Zuider Zee and certainly feel he is better than a 75 rated horse. His main rivals appear to be Valid Reason and Activate. Valid Reason probably rates as the biggest danger with his form having a very strong look to it. He looks to be better than a 79 rated horse but he will do well to give weight to the Gosden horse without a preparation run. The same applies to Activate but his form seems to be a little below what is required. However, his stable are in great form and further improvement is possible.
Valid Reason 8-13fav (9-3) Led after 1f, ridden and edged left over 1f out, pressed inside final furlong, asserted towards finish, won at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec beating Balducci (9-3) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Dromore (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 8f out, challenged over 1f out, led inside final furlong, just held on, won at Kempton 1m 2f Stakes (0-75) (3yo) (5) pol beating Calypso Star (9-0) by nk, 5 ran.
Baltimore Clipper (USA) 13-8fav (8-12) Prominent, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 12, 11l behind Soul Station (8-11) at Salisbury 1m 2yo mdn aut (5) sft in Oct.
Zuider Zee (GER) 2-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, kept on to lead post (hand timed), won at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (4) gd beating Forsyth (9-3) by shd, 8 ran.
Activate 7-2fav (9-3) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, headway over 1f out, strong run final 100 yards, gaining as rider of winner eased up briefly near finish, held, 2nd of 13, hd behind Tertiary (9-0) at Brighton 1m 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct.
