tracked leaders, keen early, led just over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, driven out
led 1f, tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, weakened
slowly into stride, held up, effort on inside over 1f out, soon every chance, one pace inside final furlong
pulled hard, led after 1f, ridden and headed just over 1f out, weakening when hampered inside final furlong
There has to be a suspicion that Al Sifaat may have needed the run on her reappearance but, even so, she faces no easy task tonight and is opposed with Appalachian Trail, who has done very little wrong this term. Bessemer edges Betterlatethannever out of the position as the best of the rest, but still has a little to find with the two principle players on the balance of form. Al Sifaat, as the mount of Frankie Dettori, is sure to be given the benefit of the doubt by many as she had previously shown plenty of ability in both her starts as a juvenile. However, the way she was inclined to hang at Goodwood was a worrying trait and she is not one to be going overboard about at the likely cramped odds. Therefore, Appalachian Trail, who got within two lengths of Gatwick in the Silver Bowl at Haydock, looks a far more reliable option tonight. Add to that the fact that Ian Semple sends just this one runner down from his Scottish base and the portents are too significant to ignore as Appalachian Trail bids to gain, what would be, a fully deserved victory here.
