mid-division, pushed along halfway, effort over 2f out, no impression
led, driven over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
held up, pushed along 3f out, smooth progress to lead over 1f out, pushed out final furlong
in touch, ridden over 2f out, led briefly over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace final furlong
dwelt and behind, never near to challenge
mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, headway over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
The shortlist contains Salute The General, Precious Dancer, Patoma and Bel Cantor, with the vote going to Salute The General. Patoma has shown some ability but might need further to be seen to his best, although he could go well in a race that is, overall, modest, while Precious Dancer, a half-brother to several winners, is surely better than his debut might suggest, and he too cannot be ruled out. Salute The General keeps rapping at the door and, with form in the mid-70s, has to be respected, but Subsidise has over eight lengths to find on a recent meeting. Bel Cantor, placed in four of her seven starts, probably needs to improve by a few pounds in order to win. The remainder need to improve by more, though, which, in turn, returns us to the selection, which is Salute The General.
Patoma (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Keen hold in touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 9l behind Well Armed (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f 2yo mdn (4) pol in Nov.
Ten Shun 66-1 (8-0) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, one pace, 6th of 14, 9l behind Magical Music (7-13) at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Precious Dancer 12-1 (9-0) Soon pushed along in mid-division, came wide entering straight, never on terms, 7th of 12, 12l behind Demon Docker (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn (5) pol.
Grammaticus 13-2 (9-0) Dwelt, soon chasing leaders, effort 2f out, no impression, 7th of 8, 17l behind Imperial Sword (9-0) at Ripon 6f 2yo mdn (5) sft in May.
Salute The General 11-8 (9-0) Held up in touch, chased winner 2f out, ridden and no impression final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Bull Market (9-0) at Southwell 1m 2yo mdn (5) fbs.
Subsidise (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 7, 10l behind Bull Market (9-0) at Southwell 1m 2yo mdn (5) fbs.
Bel Cantor 12-1 (8-6) Towards rear, ridden halfway, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Stoneacre Lad (9-2) at Southwell 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Crazy Bear (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Led 1f, chased winner after, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 15, 14l behind Cross Channel (8-11) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn fll (4) gf in Jul.
