held up in touch, smooth headway 3f out, led just over 1f out, pushed clear final furlong
pulled hard, tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed just over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong and lost 2nd near finish
dwelt, towards rear, some late headway final furlong, no danger
in touch, ridden and kept on same pace from well over 1f out
close up on inside, outpaced 2f out, not clear run and switched right over 1f out, kept on same pace
in touch, ran on well inside final furlong to take second near finish but no impression winner
dwelt, took keen hold in rear, kept on final furlong, never reached challenging position
chased leaders, ridden to go 2nd briefly 2f out, faded and eased inside final furlong
pulled hard, led, headed 3f out, hung badly left over 1f out, no extra final furlong
towards rear, shaken up and kept on steadily final furlong, never near leaders
towards rear, hard ridden 3f out, soon struggling in rear
A tricky but intriguing maiden. Arctic Desert's maternal grandam is related to both Celestial Storm and Thawakib so, despite showing promise over six furlongs at two, may show to himself in a better light over further in time. By a top-class sprinter out of a St Leger winner makes Barry Hills' Best Flight opposable on his debut. The trainer also runs San Antonio, who was last of 13 on his Doncaster debut (a race in which James Caird was ninth), and Naheef's half-brother, Golden Dual, who showed promise on his sole two-year-old start and can certainly play a leading part in this contest. It would be no surprise to see Terry Mills' A Very Good Year progress this year, particularly if he has learned to settle in his races. Gun Salute, by Mark Of Esteem out of a mare that won a hugely-valuable sales race at The Curragh as a two-year-old, is one to keep an eye on. Just A Martian progressed with each run at two and certainly has place claims, while Tigerette is another that is entitled to progress this year. It is difficult to be confident about a selection as there will be more to learn from this race from taking a watching brief but, with the stable in good form, Barry Hills' Golden Dual holds very good credentials and gets the vote.
