in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left, ran on final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden to lead entering final 2f, soon headed, stayed on one pace final furlong
held up, ridden, weakened 2f out
led, ridden, headed entering final 2f, weakened approaching final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway under pressure approaching final furlong, soon edged left, switched right, effort when badly hampered inside final furlong, soon eased
tracked leader, ridden, every chance, flashed tail from over 1f out, hung right inside final furlong, kept on same pace
slowly away, soon in touch, ridden, weakened approaching 2f out
slowly into stride, always in rear, behind from over 2f out
DOVE has a long absence to overcome and we will take her on with LAUGHING BOY who in turn is preferred to Dark Quest. The selection finished 4th of 15 in a Sandown maiden on his debut but he wasn't beaten all that far and if he can improve on that effort then he should take plenty of beating. Dove hails from the John Gosden yard and she has plenty of ability. However, she has been off the track since 2007 so she has clearly had her problems but it must be significant that such powerful connections persevere with her. Dark Quest would have claims on her Newmarket run back in May, but she then disappointed at Chepstow last time and she will need to leave that running behind if she is to get her head in front today. Step At A Time and Prime Classique are interesting newcomers from yards that have to be respected in these type of events and any market confidence behind either would have to be noted. However, there was plenty to like about the way Laughing Boy ran on his debut at Sandown and nominal improvement could make him hard to beat today.
Dove (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Led, ridden over 1f out, ran on, headed towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Michita (9-0) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct '07.
Whirlijig (IRE) 12-1 (9-10) In touch, ridden over 3f out, chased winner final 2f, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Interdiamonds (8-12) at Doncaster 1m 2f fll mdn stks (4) gd in Jun.
Brave Dealer 14-1 (9-3) Held up, headway and switched left over 1f out, kept on, not troubled leaders final furlong, 6th of 15, 5l behind Brooklyn Spirit (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Jun.
King's Counsel (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Led, headed over 5f out, every chance over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Hajar (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 1f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gf in Jun.
Laughing Boy (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Started slowly, towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden to lead just over 1f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong, lost 2 places close home, 4th of 15, 1 1/4l behind Brooklyn Spirit (9-3) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gd in Jun.
Dark Quest 9-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, hard ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 10l behind Alpen Glen (8-12) at Chepstow 1m 4f fll mdn stks (5) gd in Jun.
Prime Classique (USA) Elusive Quality filly out of Via Borghese.
Step At A Time (IRE) Danehill Dancer filly out of Zing Ping.
