tracked leaders, effort 2 out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out
held up behind, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, never nearer
prominent, headway on inside over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, every chance over 1f out, not quickened inside final furlong
held up mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not trouble leaders
in touch, headway to lead briefly just over 1f out, soon headed and no extra inside final furlong
in touch wide, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
started slowly, towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish
went right start, pulled hard in rear, some headway 3f out, soon ridden and never dangerous
held up towards rear and wide, under pressure 2f out, soon weakened
started very slowly, in rear, headway on inside after 3f, never dangerous
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened quickly final furlong
A very weak contest that may see Dark Champion prevail, with Lucius Verrus another that might just play a role in proceedings. There is not too much in the way of solid form here but at least Dark Champion has a few placed efforts to his name, notably when just touched off over five furlongs in a similar race to this at Newcastle in July. Jedd O'Keefe's charge failed to make the most of a favourable weight when again having to play second fiddle at Gosforth Park in September and it would be no surprise if he did not take this opportunity on his Polytrack bow. However, he is selected in the hope that his experience will see him home. Lucius Verrus has just over two lengths to find with the selection on latest running, but did improve markedly from his debut, so with more to come, might make a race of it. The rest have nothing to recommend them, and unless the market throws up a springer, Dark Champion is the percentage call.
