tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2f out, soon chasing winner, held
mid-division, driven 2f out, keeping on when hampered, carried right final furlong
keen, tracking leaders, led over 2f out, edged left, pushed out
slowly into stride, ridden over 3f out, headway on inside from over 1f out, kept on
in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, faded final furlong
led, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakening when hanging right final furlong
Barry Hills has started the season well and his well-bred gelding Ideally is taken to get his head in front at the third time of asking, although dangers lurk everywhere in the shape of stablemate Pivotal Truth, Six Of Diamonds, Boz and Shmookh. The selection returns to the racecourse after 206 days off and looks the pick of Barry Hills pair. A fair fourth in a decent Newbury maiden when last seen, he seems adaptable in terms of tactics and should appreciate today's quicker conditions. His other runner Pivotal Truth should be watched in the market in relation to the selection but may be of interest. Waqaarr shaped like more of a sprinter last time out so must be opposed over this same trip, as must Spirit Of Adjisa who should want further and needs this run for a handicap mark. Shmookh steps back up in trip after staying on when the race was over last time out and warrants plenty of respect, as does newcomer Six Of Diamonds although it will be interesting to see whether he stays the trip fully. Luca Cumani's Boz should be watched in the market for signs of support but is bred to want further so we will return to Ideally as our idea of the winner.
Almondillo (IRE) 16-1 (9-3) Started very slowly, lost touch inside final 3f, soon tailed off, last of 10, well behind Nur Tau (9-3) at Sandown 7f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Jul.
Boz Grand Lodge colt, half-brother to winners from 1m2f-1m6f.
Ideally (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Tracked leader, led inside final 3f, headed 2f out, chased winner to over 1f out, no impression, 4th of 10, 5l behind Proponent (9-3) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Sept.
Mandalay Prince 20-1 (9-3) Dwelt, held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and stayed on to take 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 4l behind Grand Lucre (8-12) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Mar.
Schoenberg (USA) Johannesburg colt out of a moderate racemare.
Shmookh (USA) 6-1 (9-3) Chased winner until outpaced over 1f out, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Princess Valerina (8-12) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Six of Diamonds (IRE) Redback colt, half-brother to 5f-1m winner Prince Of Denmark & 1m3f winner Star Of canterbury.
Spirit of Adjisa (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, ridden over 3f out, headway well over 1f out, soon hung left, one pace and no impression, 4th of 9, 5l behind Alfredian Park (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Dec.
Waqaarr 7-2jt-fav (8-9) Led, headed over 1f out, no impression final furlong and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Fantastic Cee (8-4) at Lingfield 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb.
Is It Time (IRE) 100-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase leaders over 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened, 7th of 13, 10l behind Sylvan (8-1) at Salisbury 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gd in Aug.
Poppets Sweetlove Foxhound filly, half-sister to winning sprinter Noble Mount & 7f winner Poppet's Bounty.
Sixfields Flyer (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, soon behind, 12th of 13, 17l behind Madrigale (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn fll (5) pol in Mar.
Didactic 33-1 (9-3) Always behind, 9th of 11, 19l behind Aaim To Prosper (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Sept.
Pivotal Truth Pivotal filly, half-sister to numerous winners from 6f-1m4f including the useful Susu.
