soon tracked leader to 6f out, challenging when not much room and squeezed out 3f out, soon switched right to outer, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on
started slowly, soon recovered and close-up, went 2nd 6f out, led narrowly 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, disputed 2nd final furlong, took 2nd near finish
soon led, narrowly headed 3f out, chased leader to 2f out, soon weakened
settled behind leaders, ridden to chase leader 2f out, disputed 2nd final furlong, stayed on same pace
Strike is taken to beat fellow newcomer Yaahomm in the final race on the card. Both John Gosden and David Loder have made bright starts to the Turf season and could have this between them with their respective entrants. Strike is by Silver Hawk out of a Shirley Heights mare Shemozzle, so it is not surprising that he holds a Vodafone Derby entry, and he could be good enough at the first time of asking. Yaahomm is also bred to stay but does not make quite as much appeal. However, given the stable's bright start to the season, it would be no surprise were he to make the selection pull out all the stops. Turnstile, who races in the Queen's colours, stayed on to good effect on his Nottingham debut over a mile last backend and is another that will be suited by the trip. As for Graham Island, his stable mates normally improve for the run, and Muzio Scevola's yard have really to hit top form despite the success of Silca's Gift at Newmarket on Wednesday. So, if Strike is to prove up to going to Epsom, he should really be up to the task here and gets the vote.
