in touch, chased leaders halfway, stayed on same pace
slowly into stride, always behind
chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon weakened
prominent, led over 3f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
behind, headway over 2f out, never on terms
led until over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, always travelling well, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, ridden and kept on well
dwelt, soon pushed along, some headway over 1f out, never able to challenge
mid-division, ridden over 2 out, soon no impression
dwelt, always behind
mid-division, never dangerous
in touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, soon one pace
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
In a terribly competitive opener, Windy Prospect gets the very tentative vote ahead of Middle Eastern, Keon and Palais Polaire. The selection is just one of six in the race with wins over course and distance, however Paul Blockley's gelding has been running consistently this winter and so gets the nod. He was disappointing when last seen in a banded contest over course and distance, but if able to bounce back from that he can go very close. His stablemate Middle Eastern is consistent if unspectacular, whilst a more potent threat could come from Reg Hollinshead's Keon. A winner last time out, he should go well. Palais Polaire is the least exposed in the lineup, and although he had no chance against run-away winner La Colline last time out, he showed that he handled the surface that day and so he could be a big player today. However, a chance is taken on Windy Prospect to bounce back from a poor run last time out.