tracked leaders, driven and effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, outpaced over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon every chance, kept on same pace
held up, ridden over 2f out, ran on inside final furlong to join leader post
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, joined post
slowly into stride, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, outpaced, never dangerous
This race produced subsequent Mill Reef Stakes winner Byron last season so it will be interesting to see what the future holds for Northern Splendour, who is preferred over St Andrews Storm and Stagbury Hill, who look sure to benefit from the most from this out of the rest. Those with previous experience do not look to be anything out of the ordinary so would also not be surprising to see Coup D'Etat also play a leading role; even though his trainer has yet to have a juvenile winner this season. In fairness, this is only John Dunlop's second two-year-old runner of the campaign but his charge is still expected to come on for the run and is best watched tonight. Bellalou is a locally-trained filly that is also likely to need the experience as her pedigree lends itself to her being likely to need more time before we see the best of her. Which takes us nicely back to Northern Splendour, who will be bidding to become the first ever winner from Giant's Causeway's progeny to be seen on a racecourse. Out of the high-class Ribbonwood, who excelled at this trip as a juvenile before being placed in good company over further later, Northern Splendour will create plenty of interest whatever the outcome today. But as he faces nothing outstanding at this stage, the mount of Frankie Dettori is the obvious one to side with here.
