led, headed over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up, headway over 3f out, pushed along 2f out, soon weakened
chased leader until led over 2f out, ridden and headed briefly over 1f out, strongly pressed throughout final furlong, ran on
always prominent, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
in touch, pushed along 3f out, soon outpaced
held up, headway on inside 3f out, led over 1f out, soon headed, still every chance throughout final furlong, ran on
Although a few of these are in good heart at present, it is possible to pick holes in the form, so a chance is taken with Nevada Desert, who edges the vote from Opening Ceremony and Rotuma in the search for value against the field. Burgundy also has to be respected as he has made hay in weaker races than this of late and arrives at the top of his game. However, he faces his stiffest test for a while as he steps back into a professional riders handicap and looks weighted up to, what is now, his best. Jacaranda also won for an amateur last time and should again run his race. Firm ground obviously suits the Anabel King-trained gelding and he has done nothing but improve since being upped to this sort of trip. However, this is also his hardest assignment of the season and he may find one too good again. Which we hope will be Nevada Desert, who has every chance ending his barren spell if the form lines through Olivia Rose are anything to go by. The son of Desert King is versatile regarding his ground preference and, as he still has plenty to offer at this trip from his current mark, Nevada Desert looks a cracking bet at the likely prices today. Opening Ceremony will be dangerous to dismiss but also has a bit to prove with the selection on these terms as he is set to race from a 3lb higher mark than when winning at Doncaster last week.
