with leader, ridden and every chance 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up, hampered 3f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up in touch, ridden adn every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
slow into stride, towards rear, never nearer
held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace
soon led, ridden and edged left over 1f out, caught post
chased leaders, short of room over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on final furlong
keen in touch, edged right over 2f out, ridden and hampered over 1f out, ran on to lead post
chased leaders, short of room and stumbled and unseated rider 3f out
close up, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
always towards rear
always towards rear
chased leaders, hampered and swerved right 3f out, weakened over 1f out
A 16-runner line-up for a race for three-year-old handicappers and one from which we will determine a lot more after it has been run. However, we have to opt for something so, with that in mind, we'll offer up Aesculus as the selection ahead of Phluke, Ermine Grey, Lady Georgina and Danish Monarch. The Frankie Dettori-ridden selection is lightly-raced but came good at the third time of asking when scoring at Lingfield over six furlongs last time. Ok, Lingfield's Polytrack is a far cry from Leicester's soft going, but the selection had earlier finished fifth in a maiden on good to soft behind Malvern Light, and that form appears to read well in the context of this race. The things that Phluke has in his favour are the fact that he represents a family that the trainer knows well, has been raised just three pounds for a Beverley win last time, and goes on soft going - although a high draw on soft going is not considered advantageous at Leicester these days on the straight course. With that in mind, Ermine Grey, who ran well for a long way over a longer trip here last time, could go well with that run under his belt, while Morag, a dual winner last autumn, and Nantucket, trained by Martin Pipe, are others to consider, but they are also drawn high. And a repeat of Lady Georgina's Warwick maiden run behind Spotlight last season, puts her into the shake-up, although she has no form on soft going. In fairness, it is very hard to give a clear chance to many of these, but Hatch A Plan is another that did suggest last year that he had some ability year, Toparudi showed some promise in the summer, and topweight Danish Monarch looks reasonably good value racing from a mark of just 74. As we say, it's a tricky race with the selection being Aesculus.
