chased leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, driven and outpaced 3f out, never able to challenge
mid-division, ridden over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd well inside final furlong, no chance with leading pair
led, headed over 2f out, ridden and stayed on to regain lead narrowly over 1f out, headed and no extra near finish
tracked leaders, driven and outpaced 2f out, weakened 1f out
chased leaders, outpaced 2f out, soon beaten
with leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed narrowly over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong to lead again near finish
mid-division, switched outside over 2f out, soon ridden, never on terms
mid-division, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, soon ridden and no impression, lost 3rd well inside final furlong
behind, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer
always behind
started slowly and early reminders, always behind
mid-division on outside, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened
Withdrawn
Withdrawn
With George Benjamin hard to trust given his statistics, we will take a chance that FAITHFUL DUCHESS can reappear with a win, while Dolphin Rock is respected and Jutland is among others with potential. Ed Dunlop has had his string in decent form in this early part of the Flat season, and this Bachelor Duke filly looks set to do better at three than she did as a juvenile. Although related to two-year-old winners, her pedigree is more weighted to do better with age and this step up in trip looks ideal. With a good pilot booked we will side with her. George Benjamin has made the frame in each of his six starts, but has so far not had an extra gear when needed at the business end. Although a win would probably be no more than he deserves, he is definitely vulnerable again today. Jutland won a Brighton maiden on fast ground last season, but couldn't live up to the handicapper's assessment of his abilities next time. He will surely be better for both this run and a step up in trip. Dolphin Rock was knocking on the door to success at the end of last season and David Barron is getting a decent tune out of his few recent runners, so there could be more to come here after a break, while it is hard to believe that Al Dafa will not prove better than this initial handicap mark of 67, and he must be taken seriously if there is money for him. An interesting race and Faithful Duchess is selected.
Tislaam (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Towards rear, weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 16, 23l behind Bullwhip (9-3) at Doncaster 7f 3yo mdn (4) gs in Mar.
Slikback Jack (IRE) 7-4fav (9-3) Inrear, ridden over 2f out, no impression, driven and kept on past beaten horses inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 6l behind Calypso Star (8-11) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
Diamond Duchess (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, soon hung left, never on terms, 8th of 11, 18l behind Bateau Bleu (8-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Sep.
Jutland 11-4fav (9-0) Raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out, 6th of 10, 6l behind Cool Valentine (8-9) at Sandown 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Antarctic Desert (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Held up, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to take 2nd, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Racy (9-3) at Pontefract 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sep.
Faithful Duchess (IRE) 9-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden and edged left well over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 7l behind Gouray Girl (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn fll auc stks (5) pol in Sep.
Dolphin Rock 7-2 (8-12) In touch, driven 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, headed final 100 yards, kept on same pace, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Beat The Rush (8-12) at Pontefract 1m 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Oct.
Al Dafa (USA) 9-1 (8-0) In touch, pushed along over 3f out, outpaced from over 2f out, 6th of 11, 6l behind Understory (8-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Battle Study (IRE) 50-1 (8-12) Slowly away, soon chasing leaders, led over 4f out, headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 16, 16l behind Bullwhip (9-3) at Doncaster 7f 3yo mdn (4) gs in Mar.
Meetings Man (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out, 8th of 11, 15l behind Karaka Jack (9-3) at York 7f 2yo mdn (3) gd in Oct.
Bell's Ocean (USA) 20-1 (8-12) Tracked leading pair, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 11th of 14, 7l behind Honest Broker (8-11) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Cassidy K 25-1 (7-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 9, 39l behind Kumbeshwar (8-13) at Catterick 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Nov.
Drinking Buddy 40-1 (8-13) Behind, outpaced over 4f out, no impression final furlong, 10th of 14, 10l behind House Red (9-4) at Leicester 7f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Oct.
George Benjamin 9-2 (9-3) Close up, ridden and outpaced and lost place halfway, headway under pressure from over 1f out, chased winner and no impression inside final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Walvis Bay (9-3) at York 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Gracelightening 8-1 (8-12) Chased winner until 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Sejanus (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Sep.
