towards rear and never going pace to trouble leaders
(reluctant to go to post), raced against near-side rail, made most until headed and outpaced by winner well over 1f out, kept on same pace
close up on outer, weakened inside final 2f
in touch, driven to challenge and chased winner over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, kept on under pressure final 2f but never dangerous
close up on outer when carried left just inside final 3f, still close up over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
held up, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish
soon outpaced and in rear
started slowly, in rear, headway 2f out, led well over 1f out, quickened clear very easily
soon pressed leader, still every chance 2f out, weakened over 1f out
(bolted to start), chasing leaders when swerved badly left just inside final 2f, soon eased, tailed off
Many of these are rated within a few pounds of each other but Educating Rita, who has run only once, would appear to have the greater scope for improvement and gets our vote. Admittedly, she is hard to assess on the back of a fair win in a Doncaster maiden, but we'll take the chance that the grader has got it wrong. Boanerges has been out of form for a year now but the best of his 2002 efforts entitles him to respect. Byo, visored for the first time, needs to step up on the best of his form. Fly More, along with Palawan among the line-up, is a course and distance winner but is rated towards the top end of his form, even though Kieren Fallon's booking might make him a popular choice with punters. Palawan has chances on his all-weather form but seems to reserve his best for that type of surface these days. On his all-weather form, J M W Turner would hold chances and he did show some promise back on grass over a furlong further last time. Yorkies Boy (one of three Milton Bradley runners in the contest) is very well handicapped on the best of his form of two years ago, and the application of cheekpieces seemed to bring about some of the old spark last time. That was over six furlongs which is, arguably, his best trip. Three of Miss George's four career wins have been on the all-weather (and over seven furlongs), while Educating Rita is hard to assess on the back of a fair win in a Doncaster maiden.