held up, effort 3f out, hung right under pressure and no extra final 2f
always behind, lost touch halfway
held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on same pace
chased leaders until weakened 2f out
prominent to halfway, weakened quickly
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied near finish, just failed
in touch until weakened inside final 3f
always in touch, taken to far rail to chase leader from 3f out, led over 1f out, just held on
in touch, behind from halfway
with leaders until weakened over 3f out
prominent, ridden and stayed on same pace final 2f
In these types of races, it often pays to heed to the riders and, with this in mind, we will shortlist Mr Velocity, Tidy, Nimello, Sangiovese, Parnassian, Best Before and Patterdale, with the vote going to Best Before. Nimello comes good in his turn and is on a competitive mark. Best Before goes well for his rider and is another that has form enough to be in the shake-up. Mr Velocity comes here seeking a straight hat-trick of successes but, much as his chance is there for all to see, he is unproven on soft going. Parnassian is also in good form and not far above a winning mark, while Sangiovese, much as he stays 12 furlongs, has form at shorter and will not lack for assistance from the saddle. Tidy is not too far above a winning mark and, with form on the going, and a good rider booked, looks set to go well, while Irish import Arghan might be one to watch for in the market on his second run in this country. Ridge Boy is also on an upward curve of improvement but the going is a concern, and Johannian cannot be ruled out of things, certainly not based on current form. Locombe Hill is another that will be suited by conditions, and Patterdale, who has a length and a quarter to find with Sangiovese on 10-furlong Windsor form last time, will not lack for assistance from the saddle but has no form on the going, while, finally, Desert Reign is closely weighted with Ridge Boy on their Epsom runs last time and, although untried on it, could be ok on the going. As you can gather, it's a pretty competitive contest, with the vote going to Best Before.