mid-division, effort halfway, no impression
started slowly and towards rear, ridden along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong but never reached challenging position
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
slowly into stride, always behind
towards rear, effort over 3f out, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, ridden along over 2f out, driven and kept on same pace final furlong
prominent, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden along 3f out, effort when weakening over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden along over 2f out, one pace final furlong
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Efidium, the 2003 winner of this race, knows how to win at this time of year, however his best runs have come on quicker ground and with the weather forecast looking bleak, preference instead is for Blue Empire ahead of Million Percent. The selection comes here on the back of a win at Southwell. That contest was no Guineas trial, however it showed that he is in good heart at present and that this seven furlong trip is still within his range. Million Percent is the highest rated horse in the lineup and as such deserves plenty of respect, however he usually needs a run before he is at his best. Rowan Lodge won well at Beverley last time out but this will be a different test now dropped to seven furlongs on a flat track, whilst Sea Salt represents a shrewd yard and needs a market check. At a price Pietersen could run into a place, however we will return to Blue Empire as the selection.
Rowan Lodge (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, quickened to lead over 1f out, driven and kept on final furlong, won at Beverley 1m sll (5) gs in Apr beating Penel (9-12) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Efidium 20-1 (7-10) Reared start, towards rear, never dangerous, 16th of 19, 10l behind Fragrancy (9-4) at Redcar 1m hcap (2) gd in Oct.
Pietersen (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Dwelt and behind, soon chased along, some late headway, never troubled leaders, 6th of 8, 14l behind Wodhill Gold (8-13) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs in Feb.
Sea Salt 13-2 (8-10) Chased leader, weakened 2f out, 7th of 9, 6l behind Teasing (9-5) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Five Wishes 17-2 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden halfway, headway under pressure well over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 12, 2l behind Xpres Maite (8-13) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Apr.
Blue Empire (IRE) 8-1 (9-5) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, good headway entering final furlong, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Southwell 7f sll (6) gf in Apr beating Shot To Fame (9-7) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Border Artist 20-1 (8-7) Towards rear, ridden 3f out, some late progress, 6th of 12, 5l behind Sion Hill (8-9) at W'hampton 7f hcp (6) pol in Apr.
Million Percent 2-1fav (9-7) Always prominent, pushed along over 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 2l behind Megalo Maniac (9-4) at W'hampton 7f clm (5) pol in Sept.
