led after 2f, pressed and edged right over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, all out
held up in rear, headway 4f out, chased winner over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, slightly more room on rail, switched left, ran on and gaining towards finish
held up 4th, ridden over 3f out, no impression final 2f, weakened over 1f out
led 2f, stayed prominent, ridden and outpaced over 3f out, kept on and chased leaders 2f out, weakened over 1f out
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, no impression over 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd final furlong, but never dangerous
The shortlist consists of Remember Ramon, Soho Square and Lightning Strike, with the vote going to the last-named horse. Remember Ramon won his maiden well but the handicapper can hardly be said to have underreacted to that. That said, he won far more comfortably than the official margin might suggest and was confidently supported. However, we like Lightning Strike, who has comes here seeking his third straight win following a couple of all-weather wins at today's trip. He beat Fusili last time, and with that horse having been placed off a mark of 80 on Saturday, the handicapper might still not have taken Terry Mill's colt's measure. Jebel Ali steps up in trip after a fair effort at Kempton last time and it could yield improvement, while Soho Square is four pounds better off for the two lengths that he finished behind the selection at Lingfield last time and has to be considered on that basis. Once again, then, the vote goes to Lightning Strike.
Remember Ramon (USA) 4-9fav (8-7) Tracked leaders, smooth headway 2f out, led on bit entering final furlong, unextended, won at Musselburgh 1m 4f mdn stk (5) gf in Apr beating Trinity Rose (8-2) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Lightning Strike (GER) 2-1fav (8-10) Raced keenly, close up, led over 3f out, ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar beating Fusili (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Jebel Ali (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Stage Gift (8-9) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Soho Square 7-2 (8-12) Led, headed 10f out, led over 4f out, ridden, headed over 3f out, kep one pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Lightning Strike (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Rajaall 10-1 (9-0) Held up in mid-division, headway halfway, driven and not quicken 2f out, one pace after, 5th of 14, 5l behind All The Good (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f 2yo mdn (4) pol in Nov.
Roya 25-1 (9-0) Started slowly, soon prominent, led 3f out, headed just inside final furlong, weakened quickly, 9th of 12, 7l behind Familiar Territory (9-0) at Salisbury 1m 2yo mdn (5) gs in Aug.
