steadied start, always behind
held up in touch and keen, effort 2f out, pressed leader final furlong, narrow leader close home
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, challenged and headed narrowly close home
held up mid-division, headway to chase leader 3f out, faded close home
held up towards rear, some headway over 2f out, short lived
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong
steadied start, headway 3f out, weakened final furlong
soon led and clear, ridden over 2f out, headed and weakened over 1f out
always towards rear
This is a very interesting race, and from a shortlist that contains Stage Secret, Atlantic Quest and Denver, we will just side with Atlantic Quest. The selection got back to winning ways on his first run for Karl Burke last time here over seven furlongs. He still looks reasonably handicapped, his all-weather record is very good and he might yet improve at this longer trip so looks set to run a big race. Stage Secret is also interesting and this well-bred son of Zilzal returned after being treated for a sinus problem to score over seven furlongs last time. That win suggested that there was very much better to come, and we'll get an idea of just how much today. Denver also catches the eye as he is lightly raced, has also won here over seven, and was staying on nicely last time, with the suggestion that he too has better to come. Of the others, Freeloader is consistent and should run his race, Kali is also consistent and was only just denied from today's mark at Lingfield last time, and Caroubier, who is rarely out of the money on the all-weather, is a course and distance scorer and is back to a winning mark. With What A Dancer probably going to need the outing, this spins us back to the selection, which is Atlantic Quest.
