pulled hard, prominent for 5f
tracked leader, led 2f out, pushed out comfortably
held up in touch, ridden and switched right inside final furlong, finished well, not trouble winner
tracked leaders, ridden and edged left from over 1f out, not quicken
held up, edged left and headway over 1f out, staying on when not clear run inside final furlong
led, headed 2f out, soon ridden, one pace
Nonrunner
Adhaaf is more exposed than most of these but might still be good enough to prevail at the main expense of Powder Blue, Gallantry and Nor'wester. The selection has had plenty of chances but she ran her best race yet last time at Nottingham when a close third behind Love Affair. She looks as though the penny is beginning to drop and she might just be able to make her experience count tonight. Gallantry is a well-bred colt and he showed enough on his debut to suggest that he might be capable of winning races. Anything his stable sends to post at this track has to be respected but he will have to improve from his debut run to get competitive. Similar comments would apply to James Fanshawe's colt Nor'wester. He ran okay behind Infatuate last time but he gave the impression that he might be better when he goes into handicaps. Powder Blue is the other from a top stable to consider but her breeding suggest she may be better over further and unless there is strong market market confidence behind her then it might pay to give another chance to John Dunlop's filly Adhaaf.
Shannkara's Quest (USA) 100-1 (8-11) Dwelt, always towards rear, last of 13, 27l behind Quincannon (8-11) at Southwell 6f mdn stk (D3) fbs in Dec.
Gallantry 4-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 10th of 17, 12l behind Industrial Spirit (9-0) at Warwick 1m 3yo mdn (5) gs in Apr.
Nor'wester 40-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride and held up, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 14, 7l behind Infatuate (9-0) at Leicester 1m 3yo mdn aut (5) gd in May.
Son of Sophie 33-1 (9-0) Always behind, 9th of 10, 17l behind Fullandby (9-0) at W'hampton 7f 3yo mdn aut (6) pol.
Ahdaaf (USA) 13-2 (8-9) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Love Affair (8-5) at Nottingham 1m 3yo fll hcp (4) gs.
Guadiana (GER) Dashing Blade filly out of a lightly-raced mare.
Powder Blue Daylami filly out of the top-class Blue Duster.
Lowicz 50-1 (7-11) Always behind, eased when tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Seasons Estates (9-5) at Chepstow 1m 3yo fll hcp (5) gs.
