led, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
started slowly, soon in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, driven over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
towards rear, chased along halfway, headway over 1f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
La Neige faces an easier assignment than some of his previous outings and edges a narrow verdict over Holdin Foldin, while Smart Instinct is related to several winners and is worth monitoring in the betting. The last named won in spite of showing his inexperience in a maiden at Pontefract. And obviously holds ability. However, he faces a couple of wily characters this afternoon and has improvement to find. Holdin Foldin made the most of a couple of easy opportunities in his last two outings and may have been put under more pressure in an exercise at home. This trip should suit and he is an obvious candidate at this level. However, La Neige has already faced a much stiffer calibre of opposition than this and he is fancied to put the experience to good use. His close up fourth in the Richmond Stakes sets the standard here and this son of Royal Applause is fancied to gain an overdue second career success today.
Holdin Foldin (IRE) 4-9fav (9-4) Made all, ridden 2f out, definite advantage over 1f out, driven out, won at Lingfield 5f nov stk (5) pol beating Chingford (8-7) by 2l, 4 ran.
La Neige 33-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 7, 2l behind Hamoody (9-0) at Goodwood 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf.
Smart Instinct (USA) 33-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Pontefract 5f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jul beating Palo Verde (9-3) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Mandy's Maestro (USA) 16-1 (8-12) Prominent 4f, 5th of 8, 7l behind Valdan (8-6) at York 6f 2yo mdn aut (4) gf in Jul.
Bidders Itch 66-1 (8-11) Always behind, last of 6, 15l behind Wicked Wilma (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f 2yo mdn fll (5) gd.