slowly into stride, headway to track winner over 8f out, challenged from 2f out, kept on inside final furlong but always held
in touch, ridden and one pace final 2f
slowly into stride, held up in last pair, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in last pair, pushed along on outside 3f out, soon one pace and no impression
made all, strongly pressed from 2f out, hard ridden final furlong, kept on well and always holding on
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
took keen hold, held up, ridden 4f out, dropped to last, and struggling final 3f
in touch, pushed along 3f out, weakened over 2f out
took keen hold early, close up in 4th, ridden over 2f out, went 3rd over 1f out, but no chance with front pair
CONFEDERATE has our confidence in the last with the frustrating Fantosha likely to feature along with Romantic Retreat. George Bakers charge was beaten into fourth place last time out by a smart looking Chevely Park Stud owned colt, who holds an interest in the Dante and Guineas. It was a much improved effort on his debut run on his penultimate start and with this trip seeming right he should do better against lesser opposition. Fantosha has shown promise without delighting so far. That is to say she is yet to score in nine outings but has placed five times. Her best on the polytrack came last time out over a furlong shorter so it will be interesting to see if the extra yardage will help her score. Already rated at 65 that might be a guide to the fact she may not quite be good enough here. Romantic Retreat has Gary Moores's form at this track in her favour as she returns from 200 days off. Perhaps better suited to handicaps she'll be well prepared for her last tilt at maiden company and if the expecting improvement comes here she has claims. Lucky Dancer showed enough on debut to suggest a race of this class is in his grasp but this time we go with Confederate.
Confederate 15-2 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out, never nearer, 4th of 10, 6l behind Empowered (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) pol in Oct.
Filun 14-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, soon in mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 16l behind Dark Prospect (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Sept.
Forced Opinion (USA) 100-1 (9-3) Always towards rear, 10th of 11, 18l behind Fosool (8-12) at Great Leighs 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) pol.
Lucky Dancer 11-1 (9-3) Dwelt, beahind, headway over 1f out, no extra, 5th of 11, 9l behind Fosool (8-12) at Great Leighs 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) pol.
Planetary Motion (USA) 14-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 16l behind Pivka (8-12) at Lingfield 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Oct.
Fantosha (USA) 4-1 (8-12) Led, headed just over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, soon edged left, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 8l behind January (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol.
Jolies Dee 25-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, struggling and hanging left 3f out, 15th of 18, well behind Eastern Paramour (10-12) at Newbury 1m 4f mrs nhf (5) sft (N.Hunt).
Romantic Retreat 8-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway after 6f, ridden over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 8, 10l behind Calakanga (8-12) at Chepstow 1m 4f mdn fll (5) gf in Jun.
Starburst 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden well over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 34l behind Cape Express (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol.
