held up behind, headway 2f out to chase leaders, soon ridden and no extra approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, every chance 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out, eased well inside final furlong, pulled up and dismounted after post
prominent, led halfway, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong
with leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
steadied start, held up mid-division, under pressure over 2f out and slightly outpaced, stayed on again final furlong, not reach leaders
steadied start, held up mid-division, headway and every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong
close up, every chance well over 1f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
held up in rear, good headway inside final 2f, led briefly inside final furlong, headed and no extra and lost 2nd close home
steadied start, in rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous
chased leaders until over 2f out, weakened under pressure over 1f out
held up in touch, challenged over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home, stayed on well for 2nd
prominent until weakened 2f out, beaten and well behind when hampered well inside final furlong, virtually pulled up post
led narrowly to halfway, under pressure and weakened 2f out
held up in mid-division, headway from 2f out, led over 1f out, headed briefly inside final furlong, rallied and led again near finish
The triple Group 1 winning filly Russian Rhythm makes her reappearance in a cracking renewal of the Lockinge Stakes but with the ground arguably softer than ideal she may be worth taking on which we do with Desert Deer, who is preferred to former stablemate Gateman. The last mentioned is sure to ensure that the race is run at a true gallop but normally falls just short on the standard required in this company. Hurricane Alan, who beat Gateman in the beftred.com mile at Sandown last time will relish the conditions and has to be respected, while Indian Haven, who finished fifth at the Esher course is entitled to strip fitter for the outing. Refuse To Bend holds solid claims on his best form but Godolphin's older horses have been slow to come to hand this term. Similar comments apply to stablemate Firebreak, while Ikhtyar disappointed on his return and is probably best watched. The vote then goes to Desert Deer, who makes his debut for John Gosden today. Always held in the highest of regard by Mark Johnston at Middleham, the son of Cadeaux Genereux has not been seen since finishing down the field in the Queen Anne Stakes last term but has reportedly been working well at home recently. If back to his best, Desert Deer makes plenty of appeal at the likely odds against Russian Rhythm.
