track leaders, chased leader 2f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on well to lead inside final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, kept on and headed inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear and outpaced, ridden 3f out, kept on final two furlongs
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened final furlong
outpaced towards rear, driven halfway, stayed on final furlong, no impression
slowly into stride, outpaced towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden over 2out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
Mark Johnston's Lucayan Melody showed improved form at Catterick last time and is entitled to step up on that effort here but faces a stiff task against Arctic Burst, who should prove to be too good for his rivals with racing experience, with only the newcomer Aleutian rated a serious threat. The last mentioned hails from the in-form stable of David Loder, that has enjoyed notable success this season, and looks the part on breeding being by Zafonic out of a Green Desert mare. He is likely to know enough about what is required to take a hand but will need to be useful to get the better of Arctic Burst. Although still a maiden after three starts, the Barry Hills-trained colt ran well in all three starts as a two-year-old notably when beaten a short head by Court Masterpiece in the Convivial Maiden at York's Ebor meeting. A reproduction of that form here should suffice. John Quinn's Hov has shown signs of ability and has place claims, along with the unexposed duo of Cape Royal and Bodilla but we are happy to stick with the selection, who looks in a different league.
