soon led, 2 lengths clear 2f out, hard ridden and joined inside final furlong, headed and no extra close home
pulled hard, tracked leader, under pressure 2f out, stayed on to dispute lead inside final furlong, led close home
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up behind, under pressure over 2f out, some late headway never nearer
tracked leaders wide, lost touch after 3f, soon behind and tailed off final 2f
held up mid-division, headway over 1f out, kept on, no impression on leaders
started slowly, lost several lengths, some progress from rear 3f out, never dangerous
dwelt, towards rear, ridden over 2f out never dangerous
raced wide, prominent, tracked leader 4f out to over 2f out, soon weakened
held up behind, chased leaders over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out
dwelt, in rear, headway wide 3f out, no progress final 2f
This looks a good opportunity for Queenstown to regain the winning thread at the expense of Opera Star and Ground Patrol. Brian Meehan's gelding is the obvious form choice having easily disposed of Averline at Brighton before chasing home Countrywide Flyer here over the mile trip late last month. That distance seemed the limit of his stamina so he should appreciate this drop down to seven furlongs. We will look to the newcomers to try and find the dangers and runners from the Barry Hills yard always warrant respect. Barry turns out Opera Star who is a well related daughter of Saddler's Wells who will know exactly what is required, although the market will be the best guide to her well being. The same applies to the Andrew Balding trained Ground Patrol, a son of Ashkalani out of an Alleged mare. Both should win races in the future but on this occasion we will stick with known form and plump for Queenstown.
