soon led, ridden and headed 4f out, weakened 2f out
soon chasing leader, led 4f out, pushed clear over 1f out, eased towards finish
led early, held up and keen, headway 5f out, went 2nd 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on, no chance with winner
held up, ridden over 3f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong
keen, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
The short list contains Reunite, Solva and Gower Song, with the vote going to Solva. Solva improved for the step up to ten furlongs when scoring over course and distance on her seasonal return and, with a three-pounds rise looking fair, she looks set to go well again. A half-sister to the high-class Anabaa Bleu, Reunite scored on her debut here and, even though that came on heavy going and she has not been seen since, she has to rate as interesting, particularly as her stable is in form now. Persian Express won her maiden last season, although that win came at Brighton and she disappointed on her handicap bow last time. That said, she looks certain to improve for today's kind of trip this season, while Munaa rattled the crossbar on a number of occasions last time, and she will find the back of the net at some point, if not today. Finally, Gower Song improved for fast going to score on her handicap debut last time, having contested some decent maidens before that. She could still be reasonably treated, even though she has to carry a penalty. Finally, Gamester's Lady has yet to build on her Chester win of last season and might now need some help from the handicapper. It all adds up to quite an interesting race, in which the selection is Solva.
Gamesters Lady 66-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 3f out, last of 12, 27l behind Race For The Stars (8-9) at Newmarket 7f 2yo lst fll (1) gs in Oct.
Reunite (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (8-9) Made all, ridden over 1f out, driven out final furlong, won at Nottingham 1m 2yo mdn (5) hvy in Nov beating Zurbaran (9-0) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Solva 16-1 (8-8) Always prominent, ridden over 2f out, led inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Nottingham 1m 2f fll hcp (4) gf in May beating Captain Margaret (9-7) by 1l, 6 ran.
Persian Express (USA) 16-1 (8-10) Prominent, every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 15, 7l behind Startori (8-8) at Newmarket 7f 2yo fll hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Munaa (IRE) 2-1fav (8-2) Always prominent, not much room over 5f out, led 2f out, edged slightly left over 1f out, headed close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Grey Paint (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn aut (5) pol in Oct.
Gower Song 8-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, led in centre course 2f out, hard pressed final furlong, ran on well, won at Brighton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) frm beating Girardii (9-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
