Rio Riva can step up on a promising debut to account for Zagreus and Mark Johnston's newcomer Barcardero. Rio Riva was a bit reluctant to go into the stalls on his Haydock introduction last month, but settled down as the race went on and stayed on well to chase home the more fancied Dramaticus. The ground was testing as it will be here, and the son of Pivotal should once again handle the conditions. Zagreus drops back in trip after his debut third over Beverley's extended seven furlongs on fast ground. He looks a weak horse at present and may struggle in the ground. Mark Johnston sets a poser by saddling two runners, Beacon Star and Barcardero, and it is the latter that makes most appeal. The son of Danzig cost $100,000 and was well entered up this week, so is obviously ready to run well. Richard Fahey has a brace as well, with Paul Hanagan on Passionately Royal who will have learnt from a quiet debut at Catterick where he was staying on at the finish. Any money for Sir Mark Prescott's Oblique should be noted but he is probably one for next year, and on this occasion we return to Rio Riva as the answer.
