tracked leaders, pushed along 4f out, weakened inside final 2f
slowly into stride, in rear, switched left to wide outside 3f out, stayed on under pressure final 2f but never dangerous
chased leaders, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 2f out
pressed leader, headed over 4f out driven along from 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
in touch, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, switched left to outer over 1f out, kept on final furlong
held up early, headway on inside to track leaders over 5f out, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, hard driven to lead inside final furlong, kept on under pressure
held up, effort on outside over 2f out, kept on under pressure but not pace of first two final furlong
led to over 7f out, chased leader under pressure until weakened over 2f out
This is a tricky three-year-old handicap and we have narrowed it down to Emile Zola, Solarias Quest and Gibraltar Bay, with the last named just edging the decision. The Terry Mills trained filly has certainly improved over the winter, and is continuing on the upgrade. She landed a Wolverhampton handicap off a mark of 55 and returned to the winners enclosure over course and distance last time, beating Self Respect off a rating of 71. There could be more to come and she looks the best proposition. Emile Zola was successful on her two-year-old debut and has been highly tried in two runs since. He will be more at home in this company and looks set to run a big race. Solarias Quest gained a deserved maiden victory last time and doesn't look badly treated for this first handicap run. Sirce and Spear are two others in with a shout, but Gibraltar Bay could still be ahead of the handicapper and she gets our vote.
Danehill Willy (IRE) 8-1 (8-9) Raced stand side, prominent, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 15, 4l behind Blaise Hollow (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Apr.
Emile Zola 33-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden 3f out, never a factor, 11th of 13, 11l behind Quizzene (8-8) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Solarias Quest 5-2fav (9-0) Prominent, pressed leader over 3f out, battled on strongly from over 1f out, led last strides, won at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) gs beating Sea Wall (9-0) by a nk, 9 ran.
Gibraltar Bay (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) With leaders, led 7f out, hard driven and pressed final 2f, briefly headed 1f out, rallied and ran on well, won at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Apr beating Self Respect (9-0) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Spear (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Raced wide in touch first 2f, pushed along 3f out, weakened quickly, 15th of 16, 22l behind Kerashan (8-13) at Kempton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (4) gd.
Loch Quest (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Close up, ridden along over 3f out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 9, 6l behind Solarias Quest (9-0) at Salisbury 1m 4f 3yo mdn (5) gs.
Sirce (IRE) 7-2fav (8-8) Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, ran on to lead near finish, won at Leicester 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) sft in Apr beating Pocketwood (9-4) by 1l, 16 ran.
War Pennant 4-1fav (8-13) In touch, ridden to lead 2f out, headed well over 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Spinning Coin (8-8) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Krasivi's Boy (USA) 10-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, outpaced over 2f out, soon beaten, 5th of 11, 8l behind Asaateel (9-0) at Bath 1m 2f 3yo hcp (5) gs in Apr.
