started slowly, in rear, ridden 3f out, weakened and eased final furlong
held up, ridden 2f out, no impression approaching final furlong
held up, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression
led, headed 2f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong
tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, hung badly left stand side rail and headed inside final furlong, kept on towards finish
tracked leaders, driven over 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on under pressure final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong, held on towards finish
After hammering on the door in four starts last season this looks a decent opportunity for UNION ISLAND to get off the mark ahead of the improving Akbabend and consistent Dazzling Light. The highest rated in the field the selection looks to be competing with terms in his favour and looking at his form he has been assessed correctly. All but one of those four efforts have produced winners so the form looks strong and providing everything went well over the winter this looks the easiest assignment yet for this son of Rock Of Gibraltar. Akbabend has just three pounds to find on the pick according to the official ratings and could well do so based on his progressive profile. His best effort came on his last appearance at Great Leighs and the form from that has been franked twice since. Dazzling Light was consistently in the picture last term without really improving. That said his best came on quick ground and racing on that again he could improve enough to challenge. Hard Luck Story has raced well mainly in bottomless ground and hasn't been given a chance on firmer so it could be it will suit, then again maybe not and it might not matter with Union Island looking to have a bit extra.
Lunar Storm (IRE) 40-1 (9-12) In rear, ridden over 3f out, never near leaders, 6th of 9, 13l behind Clippity Clop (8-9) at Southwell 1m mdn stks (5) fbs in Mar.
Wilmington 80-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 3f out, 13th of 14, 43l behind Provost (9-3) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Mar.
Baligha 20-1 (9-9) Prominent until ridden and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 10, 14l behind Satwa Gold (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Dazzling Light (UAE) 11-8fav (8-11) In touch, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 13, 8l behind Another Moment (9-10) at Catterick 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gs in Aug.
Akbabend 5-1 (9-3) Always prominent, ridden 2f out, chased winner 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 2l behind Orbitor (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m 2f 2yo mdn stks (4) pol in Oct.
Hard Luck Story 7-4 (9-3) Chased winner until over 1f out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Distant Memories (9-3) at Ayr 7f 2yo mdn (5) hvy in Nov.
Union Island (IRE) 9-4fav (9-3) In touch, led 3f out, under pressure over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 13, shd behind Cygnet (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
