towards rear, some late moderate headway, but never a danger
in touch, headway 2f, led well over 1f, driven clear final furlong
mid-division, weakened rapidly over 3f, virutally pulled up final 2f
slowly into stride, behind, headway on outer 4f, kept on under pressure final 2f, never nearer
in touch, not handled bend and lost place 6f, ridden and headway on wide outside 4f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
pressed leaders, ridden and not quicken 2f, weak in final furlong
lead 2f, stayed close up until weakened 3f, tailed off
slowly into stride, behind, came along stand rail in straight, stayed on final 2f, kept on well towards finish
chased leaders until ridden and weakened 2f out
close up, ridden 3f out and weakened
mid-division, ridden, headway and switched right 2f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division until ridden and weakened 3f out
slowly away in rear until passed, weakening rivals from over 1f out
raced keenly, prominent, lead narrowly after 2f, hung left under pressure from 2 furlong out, soon headed stayed chasing winner until weakened final furlong
Classical Dancer is a speculative choice, with Lorien Hill, Nukhbah, Collada and Reign of Fire not to be left out of calculations. With plenty of the big southern stables represented, this is a race worth making a note of and with that in mind we shall nominate Classical Dancer from the stable of Henry Candy. This half-sister to Imperial Dancer was a close third to the useful Bay Tree on her Newbury debut last August, after which she was put away for the winter. This step up to a mile will suit and she should be more than capable of picking up a decent prize as the season goes on. Lorien Hill was beaten when sent to Lingfield for her final start, which is a bit off putting, but she does at least have the edge over one or two of the others from an experience point of view. Collada holds no fancy entries and has taken time to mature, but given the stable's record, she should not be left out of calculations either. Reign of Fire hails from a stable in quite good form at present, while Portmanteau, a well-bred daughter of Barathea out of a Shirley Heights mare, can surely be placed to good effect by Sir Michael Stoute. There are too many ifs and buts to make this a solid betting race, but Classical Dancer is the suggestion to small stakes, and if she does not oblige here, stick with her until she comes good.
