made all, clear well over 2f out, driven out, unchallenged
slowly away, chased leaders, hard driven over 3f out, soon beaten
tracked winner, hard driven over 2f out, never able to challenge
Ghazwah is the clear pick ahead of Major Maximus of those with racecourse experience but UNDERSTORY wouldn't need to be out of the ordinary to take this on debut. Mark Johnston's newcomers often improve for their initial experience but the yard have been amongst the winners and this well related Forestry colt has been found a weak looking race for his debut. Ghazwah showed ability in four starts for John Gosden before changing hands for 21,000 euros in December. She was heavily supported ahead of her third start in a warm race but failed to land the odds before running below par on her final start of the season. She's joined a shrewd yard and could be interesting if they can unearth her latent talent. Major Maximus is by no means out of this at the figures but he has been held in claimers the last twice and is now tried in blinkers in the hope that they bring about the improvement that a visor failed to. The other pair make little appeal and will be no more than footnotes in a race that can go to Understory.
Major Maximus 12-1 (8-7) In touch, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Marjolly (8-4) at Kempton 6f 3yo clm stks (5) pol.
Understory (USA) Forestry colt out of Sha Tha.
Rightcar Joan (IRE) Tagula filly out of Enamoured.
Sweet Avon 12-1 (8-12) Held up, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 8l behind Avenuesnalleyways (9-3) at Kempton 6f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol.
Ghazwah 8-1 (8-12) Raced far side, led that group and overall leader until over 2f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 16, 5l behind Asraab (9-3) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct.
