tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, effort 2f out to over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and headway on outside 3f out, stayed on well under pressure from over 1f out, held inside final furlong
soon led, headed over 6f out, stayed in touch, led again over 3f out, ridden and drifted right from over 1f out, held on under pressure final furlong
held up mid-division, switched outside and headway halfway, led over 6f out to over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure final furlong
tracked winner, outpaced 4f out, soon ridden, no impression final 2f
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, pushed along 5f out, ridden and weakened 3f out, tailed off over 1f out
held up and behind, headway on inside 4f out, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, no extra final furlong
held up in rear, pushed along 5f out, never dangerous
Lord Lamb, Red Scorpion and Spitting Image stand out here on official ratings and, of these, we like the look of Lord Lamb. The selection won a similar race over a two-furlong shorter trip at this track last August, and, if running to that level of form again, is clearly the one to beat. Much as he has not raced for 288 days, the upside is that he has gone well fresh in the past and Darryll Holland has been booked to ride. If there are any flaws in his fitness then Red Scorpion could be the one to take advantage. That said, his best form has come on the all-weather, although the bare level of his Turf achievements means that he ought to have a bit in hand on a number of his opponents who look plating class. That cannot be said of Spitting Image. Much as the four-year-old might arguably be the Reveley stable's second string here, he comes into the argument based on his fair fourth to Best Port over today's course and distance last time. Ok, he has never won a race but he has certainly shown enough to suggest that he can do so. Much as Royal Castle has won over course and distance, that was back in 2002 and his recent form leaves him something to find. Overall, then, especially if the betting speaks in his favour, the one to beat looks to be Lord Lamb.
