track leader, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed and bumped near finish
mid-division, pushed along halfway, weakened 2f out
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and soon every chance, hung right bend 2f out, one pace final furlong
slowly into stride, keen held up, headway approaching final furlong, edged right and led near finish, ran on
slowly into stride, soon in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out
tracked leader, ridden and weakened 2f out
slowly into stride, held up, ridden and some headway over 2f out, soon one pace
Skidmark gets a narrow vote here over Competitor, with Anuvasteel and Marcus Eile the others to consider. The selection was a very good third on his debut here over seven furlongs and normal improvement from that over a trip that should suit puts him right in with a shout. Competitor won a steadily-run affair over eight furlongs at Redcar on his only run to date, and he looked to have plenty of improvement in him that day. It is slightly surprising to see him running here, but connections are shrewd so that decision has to be respected. Anuvasteel has all-weather form at around the 80 mark and is also a course and distance winner, that success coming in a nursery. He has to concede eight pounds to the selection but still looks booked for a place at least. Pure Emotion has something to like on breeding but is likely to need the run, but Marcus Eile, who will be giving weight to the field, including 11 pounds to Skidmark, won twice over five furlongs on turf in the spring and now makes his all-weather debut. He has yet to prove he stays today¿s trip but ought to on breeding. He too has to be seriously considered, but for the selection we¿ll opt for Skidmark.
