prominent, took keen hold, ridden to chase winner over 3f out until 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in touch, chased winner 2f out, soon ridden, no impression inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
pressed winner until over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, always towards rear
mid-division, weakened over 3f out
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, never near leaders
held up towards rear, raced keenly, headway over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
This is an intriguing maiden and our shortlist for it comprises of Paintball, Brave Decision and DUELLIST, with the last-named getting the vote. Alan McCabe may hold the key to this race as one of his readily accounted for Paintball and Duellist when both made their debuts last time. As such, his Brave Decision has to be watched in the market, especially as his course and distance third when making his own debut last time looks solid form. However, that third was behind one of Mark Johnston's who was having his second start and we expect Duellist to show similar improvement to land this. This Dubawi-colt was weak in the market when held at Southwell but with a switch to this surface likely to help and bags of improvement likely, he could reverse form with Paintball who was a length ahead in third that day. Willy Muir's horse attracted plenty of market support and is clearly thought of as being capable, but the record of Mark Johnston's horses on their second start in maidens is enough to swing the vote to Duellist. Paul Cole saddles two with chances, of whom Sunrise Lyric looks the best. This filly was well-held on debut but she's by Rock Of Gibraltar and should be capable of better, whilst the yard's other runner American Agent will surely be suited by stepping up from five to seven furlongs. Michael Bell-trained newcomer Burghley is bred to be reasonable and should be suited by the track and the trip so keep an eye on the market, as is Miereveld who is related to some graded performers. Of the rest Your Lad and Seek The Cash showed some promise on debut but this looks a tough race, Que Belle showed precious little on her debut and the rest don't leap of the page to say the least. This is a race to watch closely with a view to the future, but Duellist should be wiser for his debut and ready to fight them all off.
American Agent (USA) 10-1 (9-3) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened 1f out, 4th of 9, 7l behind Clifton Bridge (9-3) at Wolverhampton 5f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Brave Decision 25-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Capricornus (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Burghley Shamardal gelding out of Badminton.
Duellist 13-8fav (9-3) Slowly into stride, tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 4th of 7, 5l behind Exearti (8-12) at Southwell 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec.
Miereveld Red Ransom gelding out of Mythic.
Paintball (IRE) 3-1 (9-3) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, hard ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Exearti (8-12) at Southwell 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) fbs in Dec.
Seek The Cash (USA) 20-1 (9-0) Soon in touch, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 12l behind Licence To Till (9-0) at Lingfield 7f mdn stks (5) std in Dec.
Your Lad 20-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, 8th of 9, 12l behind Valid Reason (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Bibiana Bay 80-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, always behind, 11th of 12, 10l behind Two Kisses (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn fll auc stks (5) pol in Dec.
Que Belle (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, soon pushed along in rear, outpaced from halfway, 7th of 8, 13l behind Lily Lily (9-0) at Southwell 1m 2yo fll mdn aut (5) std in Dec.
Sunrise Lyric (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Headway into mid-division racing keenly over 5f out, effort over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 6l behind Dawnbreak (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Sep.
Rightcar Joan (IRE) Tagula filly out of Enamoured.
