dwelt, in rear, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, no chance
behind, effort on wide outside over 1f out, kept on to take poor 3rd well inside final furlong
chased leader to 2f out, soon weakened
led, ridden and kept on well under pressure final furlong, caught last strides
started very slowly, always in rear
chased leaders, went 2nd 2f out, ridden to challenge final furlong, driven to lead last strides
took keen hold, chased leaders, driven along halfway, soon weakened
in touch to halfway, soon behind
held up in touch, hard ridden 3f out, soon outpaced
went right start, raced wide, soon chased leaders, outpaced final 2f
Lady Oriande has been working well at home and might just surprise some better fancied rivals such as Buy On The Red, Kamanda Laugh and newcomer Half A Handful. Lady Oriande has not been seen since finishing ninth of twelve behind Latin Review at Goodwood last May but is expected to leave that form well behind this season. By Makbul, she is a half-sister to Striking Ambition who was a very useful sprinter as a three-year-old, and Andrew Balding's filly is expected to pay her way when transferred to turf. In the meantime she should appreciate the fast Polytrack conditions and whatever she does today, will improve. Buy On The Red made his debut here last year but ended up in claiming company at Doncaster in November and that is where his future will no doubt lie. Kamanda Laugh was down the field at Ascot on only his second career start last August, and is sure to have been well prepared on the Faringdon Road and is one to note when going into handicaps, while any money in the ring for the Mark Wallace newcomer Half A Handful should be noted. An interesting finale with an eye to the future, with Lady Oriande given a tentative vote.
