tracked leader, effort approaching 2f out, staying on same pace when short of room well inside final furlong
pulled hard in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out, virtually pulled up final furlong
raced in last place, in touch, ridden 2f out, sustained run to lead post
held up in touch, went 3rd approaching 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, unable to quicken near finish
This Winter Derby Trial is red hot with the entire small field of five given a chance but a selection must be given and that goes, very marginally, to SUITS ME with group winners Kandidate and Scintillo also looking good. The pick is probably just in the best form of these at the moment after landing a listed contest last time out capping a run of five wins in the last six starts. The form from those is weak but most likely immaterial with the gelding running so well. Kandidate was a winner last time out in a decent handicap at Southwell. Proven on all artificial services Clive Brittain's runner took a Group Three in Nad Al Sheba in 2007 and has since been competitive in similar races. Scintillo has been found lacking in similar events recently but a return to the form which saw him take a Group One in Italy two years ago will have him close again. Globe trotting Persian Storm has a decent record in contests like this so has to be respected while Re Barolo has been found a little wanting at this level so far and in a race were they all have claims the form of Suits Me fits a little better.
Suits Me 11-4 (9-1) Reluctant to go to post, made all, steadied pace halfway, quickened entering final 2f, soon taken to centre, ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stk (1) pol beating Dansant (9-4) by 1/2l, 3 ran.
Kandidate 4-1 (9-6) Soon led, quickened over 3f out, driven and headed over 2f out, hard ridden and led again over 1f out, stayed on gamely, won at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs beating Robby Bobby (8-11) by 1l, 4 ran.
Persian Storm (GER) (8-11) Made most to over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Gris De Gris (8-11) at Saint-Cloud 1m Grp 3 in May.
Re Barolo (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway, not clear and hampered over 3f out, kept on again towards finish, 4th of 7, 5l behind Dansant (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stk (1) pol in Dec.
Scintillo 5-1 (9-0) Led, ridden 2f out, weakening when headed over 1f out, 5th of 7, 9l behind Dansant (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f lst stk (1) pol in Dec.