behind, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, one pace
made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, all out
held up, headway over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
track leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra
held up, weakened over 2f out
chased winner, ridden 3f out, weakened entering final furlong
held up, ridden over 3f out, weakened final 2f
Pietersen is at the top of his game and can make it three wins on the bounce, Keidas and Delta Shuttle look to be the main rivals. david Barron's gelding had a great time during the winter and carried that form on to the turf. He showed great determination to hold off Astroangel at Beverley and with ground and trip in his favour again he will take a great deal of beating. Keidas is very lighhtly raced but has shown plenty of ability. She doesn't look harshly treated for her handicap debut and she should be in the shake up. Karl Burke has his string in good order and Delta Shuttle should get a lot closer to the selection with the run more than likely needed. The pick of the others could be Bidable, but Pietersen cannot be ignored in this mood and he gets the vote.
Pietersen (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on well, won at Beverley 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Apr beating Astroangel (8-7) by 1 1/2l, 15 ran.
Keidas (FR) 11-8fav (9-6) Led early, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 4l behind Tom Paris (9-6) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Woodland Traveller (USA) 10-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 11, 14l behind Montalembert (8-9) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) gf in Sept.
Delta Shuttle (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 6l behind Pietersen (9-0) at Beverley 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Apr.
Kings Art (IRE) 2-1fav (9-6) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, edged right over 1f out, soon held, 9th of 12, 9l behind Nicada (9-2) at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Not Too Taxing 33-1 (8-10) In touch on outer, ridden 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, 11th of 12, 16l behind Alfresco (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Muncaster Castle (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Led after 2f, hard pressed and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 13, 5l behind King of The Beers (8-12) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Alavana (IRE) 50-1 (8-12) Towards rear and outpaced, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out on outer, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Catterick 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Apr beating Pennyrock (9-3) by 1/2l, 11 ran.