chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f
close up, chased winner over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
steadied start, always in rear, very wide into straight over 2f out
slowly into stride, towards rear, never dangerous
soon led and clear, unchallenged, eased inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
held up, wide into straight over 2f out, never a factor
chased winner until over 2f out
Some of the usual suspects line up against some lesser exposed types and a chance is taken with Shadowfax at the expense of Skip Of Colour, Brooklands Time and Zak Facta. Gay Kelleway's string are always worth a look at Southwell and this well-bred gelding has to be given a major shout on the evidence of a second to Wainwright in a similar maiden at the track. Skip Of Colour showed fair form for Pascal Bary in France but has tended to pull hard in the early stages of his career in the United Kingdom. While the trip is something of an imponderable, if he were to run up to his French form, he would have serious claims. The three-year-olds have not had such a good time of it in these contests over the last couple of months and for that reason Brooklands Time is opposed. Zak Facta is a long-standing maiden. He ran a fair race in handicap company at Lingfield last week and is at least in good heart. Utah Hearts is an interesting runner from the Ramsden stable but does not look to be the easiest of rides. Having considered all the evidence, we will remain with Shadowfax.