chased leaders in 4th, ridden, not quicken over 3f out, driven, weakened 2f out
tracked leader, led over 2f out, soon in command, stayed on strongly eased near finish
led, taken towards far side on straight, headed over 2f out, soon switched left, soon no chance with easy winner, lost 2nd just inside final furlong
held up in 5th, ridden, struggling final 3f
always last, well behind, struggling from 4f out
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden, not quicken over 3f out, soon hung left, went 2nd just inside final furlong, no chance with easy winner
held up in 6th, pushed along over 4f out, struggling final 3f
The shortlisted three in an interesting handicap are Ogee, Island Odyssey and Lightning Strike, with the vote going to Island Odyssey. It is hard to escape the claims of Ogee here. He won well over course and distance last time, hails from the in-form Sir Michael Stoute yard, looks progressive and, well, what more can one say. He should go well under his penalty. Strictly speaking, though - working through a horse called Brabazon - Island Odyssey, who is also a course and distance winner, has nearly three lengths plus a pound's advantage over Ogee, so a good race looks set to unsue between them, with our vote, as stated, being for the latter. Lightning Strike was arguably unlucky not to have been handed the race when second to Remember Ramon over course and distance last time and, despite having been raised five pounds for his pains, can't be ruled out of a good run. Go Figure actually finished ahead of Ogee at Bath in April and is five pounds better off at the weights today, although Ogee has improved since for being stepped up in trip, while Sky High Guy looks held on Ogee's Windsor form and the others appear to have improvement to find if they are to feature today. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Island Odyssey.
Lightning Strike (GER) 6-4fav (8-13) Held upr, headway 4f out, challenged over 1f out, switched left, ran on and gaining towards finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Remember Ramon (9-4) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (4) gs.
Ogee 11-10fav (9-4) Tracked leading pair 8f out, closed steadily to chase leader over 2f out, led entering final furlong, pushed along, kept on well, readily, won at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf beating Brabazon (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Island Odyssey 9-1 (9-1) Made all, kicked on 4f out, all command final 2f, stayed on strongly, won at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Apr beating Brabazon (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Go Figure (IRE) 10-3fav (8-9) Led, hard driven, ran on final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 9, shd behind Gracechurch (8-13) at Bath 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Apr.
China Pearl 14-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders to 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 15l behind Rayhani (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 1f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sept.
My Petra 3-1 (8-12) Led, ridden 2f out, headed final furlong, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Great Hawk (9-3) at Haydock 1m 3f 3yo mdn (5) gf.
Sky High Guy (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, no impression when hung left, lost action final 2f, 7th of 10, 8l behind Ogee (9-4) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
