dwelt in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on one pace, lost 2nd towards finish
raced wide tracked leaders, every chance over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, readily
close up, headway approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on to go 2nd towards finish
slow into stride in touch, ridden and headway entering final furlong, kept on same pace
raced wide in touch, pushed along and headway over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
OPINIONATE never threatened the winner when runner-up at Kempton on his racecourse debut but showed enough to suggest he can win at this level. He’s preferred to Wolverhampton second Special Relation and Spinwheel, who was beaten less than a length at the latter track despite finishing only fourth. Cloud Dragon is another likely improver while the 230,000gns gelding Abaad is related to a couple of winners in France and is one to note along with fellow newcomers Trade Route and Willwams.
Abaad (IRE) Bated Breath gelding out of Condition.
Cloud Dragon (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Dwelt, soon prominent, led over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Brittanic (9-5) at Newcastle 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Damo New Approach gelding out of Umlilo.
Lyrica's Lion (IRE) 100-1 (8-12) Started slowly, outpaced and always in rear, 13th of 14, 20 3/4l behind Buzz (8-13) at Kempton 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Opinionate 8-1 (9-5) Slowly away, behind, headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 2nd of 13, 3 1/4l behind Son Of The Stars (9-5) at Kempton 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Special Relation (IRE) 11-4 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, switched right and stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, no threat, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Auberge Du Lac (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Trade Route (IRE) Mastercraftsman colt out of Shanghai Visit.
Willwams (IRE) Duke Of Marmalade gelding out of Aweebounce.
Dawn Goddess 33-1 (9-0) Held up, hampered 5f out, never on terms, 11th of 12, 9 1/4l behind Touch Me (9-0) at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (6) pol in Dec.
Spinwheel 15-2 (8-12) In touch, reminders halfway, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish, 4th of 9, 1/2l behind Moonshine Dancer (8-12) at Wolverhampton 6f mdn fll stks (5) pol in Jan.