keen, prominent, led over 4f out, cleared over 2f out, ridden out
slowly into stride, towards rear, headway 3f out, soon ridden, ran on final furlong, gaining near finish
soon led, headed over 5f out, chased leaders, one pace from over 1f out
mid-division, ridden and some headway over 1f out, never dangerous
slowly into stride, mid-division, weakened 3f out
close up, led over 5f out, headed over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, edged left and stayed on final furlong
steadied start, outpaced
Some frustrating types have been drawn together in the opener for today's action on the all weather, so there could be some mileage to be gained in assuming that there is more to come from Ali Bruce, who has shaped as if a race of this nature is well within him and he is selected in preference to Only One Legend and Countrywide Girl, who are both regulars here and should again run their race. Not many of the others appeal as likely types to get heavily involved with so it may be best left to Bandbox to prove himself as the best of the rest. Nevertheless, the grade of this race says it all and he, like most of the rest, looks vulnerable to an unexposed rival. Which brings us back to Ali Bruce, who put in his best effort to date when just getting run out of things in a maiden at Ayr earlier this month. The Don Cantillon-trained four-year-old hinted that a weak race like this was his for the taking in trying to make every yard of the running on that occasion. The fact that he was still in there pitching when he was headed just before the line, underlines that he has the right attitude to racing and a similar effort will make him very hard to catch today. It is also worth bearing in mind that Cantillon does well with his small string of Flat horses, so we recommend that Ali Bruce is the first one to look at in the betting. Only One Legend is one of those horses that needs very little introduction and he should again be capable of making the frame today. But his tendency to find one too good is a frustrating trait and he is no certainty to be in the same frame of mind he was in when winning over course and distance 18 days ago. Countrywide Girl on the other hand, is ideally suited to these conditions but she was always struggling during her latest start and was well beaten before losing her action in the home-straight. Therefore, she is also passed over in favour of Ali Bruce, as he looks to have plenty more to offer at this stage.
