held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, one pace
made virtually all, ridden, edged right approaching 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden and not clear run approaching 1f out, one pace
held up in rear, headway 2f out, not clear run on inside approaching 1f out, one pace
tracked leaders, chased winner approaching 1f out, weakening when edged right final furlong
held up rear, effort 2f out, soon one pace
Neither of Andrew Balding's two runners Skyharbor and Trick Cyclist have yet to show their effectiveness on a surface as testing as this and preference is for the Clive Cox-trained Out After Dark, who should relish the conditions. The selection is by Cadeaux Genereux out of a Night Shift mare and it hardly surprising considering that two of his better efforts have been when encountering a softer surface. The three-year-old is less exposed than most of his rivals and is taken to follow up his last time out Pontefract maiden success. Top weight Rydal has gone up 4lbs for his win over course and distance last week and has more to do now, while Extremely Rare has struggled off similar marks in all three previous attempts in this grade. Richard Hannon's Tregarron has claims on the pick of his form but is another not certain to be suited by the conditions and of more interest is Toby Balding's Morgan Lewis. The son of Orpen landed a gamble when successful at Haydock a fortnight ago and again was doing all of his best work late on when third behind Apex at Newbury last week. Both of those races were over six furlongs and while this is a stiff five he may do better again back over further. There are no such problems for Out After Dark who is taken to make all under Frankie Dettori.
