chased leaders, effort on outside over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up in last pair, ridden over 2f out, no impression
made all, hard ridden when challenged over 1f out, ran on well
slowly into stride, held up in touch, effort over 2f out, never on terms
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms
held up towards rear, under pressure over 2f out, soon weakened, eased
tracked leader, every chance over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
It's strange to see FIRST SELECTION here considering he landed the Group 3 Solario Stakes as a juvenile and finished seventh in Galileo Gold's 2000 Guineas and second to The Gurkha next time at Group 1 level in Deauville. He's now down to a mark of 96 but showed his best form for a long time when last seen just failing to rein in Unforgiving Minute in Class 3 company at Lingfield. Hopefully his class will enable him to finally regain the winning thread and boost confidence for the future. The rest of the field do not arrive in the best of form but lightly-raced Considered Opinion looks the likeliest threat off the bottom perch after showing promise in just four outings. Tai Hang Dragon and First Flight are possible each-way options.
First Selection (SPA) 8-1 (9-7) Held up last, good headway on outside over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, finished well, not quite get up, 2nd of 11, hd behind Unforgiving Minute (9-1) at Lingfield 1m hcp (3) pol in Apr.
Tai Hang Dragon (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway and weaved through from over 1f out, kept on strongly inside final furlong, going on close home, 6th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Spirit Of Belle (9-1) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Fox Trotter (IRE) 50-1 (8-5) Chased leaders in centre, weakened inside final 2f, 11th of 22, 14 1/4l behind Taqdeer (9-1) at Newbury 1m hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Medburn Dream 16-1 (9-5) Led group of 3 near side and well on terms with other 2 groups, hung right from 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 17, 4 1/4l behind Yellowhammer (9-3) at Newmarket 7f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
First Flight (IRE) 10-3 (9-0) Tracked front pair, ridden to chase clear winner inside final 2f until 1f out, well held in 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 8 1/4l behind Sputnik Planum (8-8) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Wind In My Sails 50-1 (9-4) Steadied rear, headway on inside over 1f out, 6th and no impression inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Moolazim (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Sep.
Cricklewood Green (USA) 6-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 8th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Outer Space (9-2) at Wolverhampton 7f stks (6) pol in Jan.
Considered Opinion 4-1 (9-3) Tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Express Lady (9-0) at Kempton 1m hcp fll (4) pol in Nov.