slowly into stride, behind, stayed on from over 1f out, took 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
slowly into stride, behind, some late headway final furlong, never dangerous
close up on outer, ridden to press leaders when carried very wide bend 2f out, kept on, not recover
in touch, weakened and behind from halfway
chased leaders, carried very wide bend 2f out, eased final furlong, not recover
towards rear, shaken up approaching final furlong, never near leaders
always behind
pressed leaders, ridden when carried very wide bend 2f out, not recover
made all, left clear 2f out, ridden out final furlong unchallenged
There are many unknown quantities here so it will pay to check out any market moves, but the form selection here has to be Phluke, with Little Eye and Instinct the possible threats. Phluke has been a model of consistency and deserves to finally win a race. The pick of his recent efforts was a close up fifth behind Desert Image in a competitive handicap over course and distance. He was off a mark of 73 in that contest so that is the level the others will have to aspire to. Little Eye returns his best trip after a couple of recent efforts over ten furlongs. His third behind stable companion St Savarin back in December is very useful form and a reproduction of that effort will see him go close. Instinct could be the best of the unexposed runners. He is trained by Richard Hannon who does well with his all-weather runners and this son of Zafonic did show plenty of promise on his Ripon debut in August. Any market moves for the others should be noted but, without that information Phluke is taken to land the spoils.
