in touch on outside, lost place 4f out, behind final 2f, tailed off
tracked leader, came towards stand side and effort over 2f out, soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied to regain lead inside final furlong, kept on
held up towards rear, driven 5f out, ridden and outpaced when switched left over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
led, came stand side over 2f out, soon ridden and headed, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway 4f out, came stand side over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out until inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
tracked leader, ridden and effort over 2f out, kept on same pace under pressure from over 1f out, no impression
SPEED DATING may prove too hot for Bivouac who could have the rest covered although Daaweitza and Southern Regent could have a say in proceedings. Sir Mark Prescott has made his customary quiet start to the year but he won with his third runner of 2010 at Nottingham on Saturday so the stable are clearly quickly into stride. Speed Dating's progress flattened out on top of the ground towards the end of last season but this surface should be tailor made for him and the slightly longer trip should hold no fears. Bivouac will be a tough nut to crack despite his 6lb penalty as he won with any amount in hand over fourteen furlongs last time out and will surely be racing from a higher mark in the future. He seemed ideally suited by the step up from twelve furlongs that day so the drop back to eleven may just open the door for his opponents. Daaweitza is closely matched with him on the form of their meeting towards the end of April whilst Southern Regent wasn't far behind Brian Ellison's runner in March so this does look to be competitive but Speed Dating may be the answer.
Bavarian Nordic (USA) 8-1 (8-2) Raced wide, in touch, ridden and effort 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 15, 17l behind Veiled Applause (8-6) at York 1m 2f app hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Daaweitza 11-4fav (8-12) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led over 7f out, 4 lengths clear 4f out, pressed from over 1f out, gradually worn down and headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Bivouac (8-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Apr.
Southern Regent (IND) 16-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, driven and stayed on to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Kames Park (9-1) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Apr.
Sedgwick 33-1 (8-4) Held up in touch, chased leaders over 3f out, weakened entering final furlong, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Veloso (8-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) fbs.
Bivouac (UAE) 10-3fav (9-4) Held up in rear, headway well over 3f out, led over 2f out, clear entering final furlong, ran on well, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Mehendi (9-0) by 8l, 9 ran.
Eseej (USA) 9-2 (9-9) Led, hung badly right after 2f, raced alone on far side rail from halfway, rider had steering problems, headed over 4f out, soon weakened, virtually pulled up, 8th of 9, 26l behind Bivouac (9-4) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Speed Dating 7-4fav (9-4) Led after 2f, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on until no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Upton Seas (9-6) at Ripon 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Aug.
Sir Mark (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) In touch, ridden to press leader 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 15l behind Saptapadi (9-12) at Doncaster 1m 4f mdn stks (4) gf in Apr.
