chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden to chase winner 2f out, one pace final furlong
led early, soon behind
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
A weak selling contest can go the way of Hagley Park ahead of old-stager Soaked, Arogant Prince and River Days. The latter has taken on fair company in the past and has been successful four times here, including on her last visit to the winner's enclosure in March. Since then however, Gaye Kelleway's mare has found it hard to add to her tally, producing very uninspiring efforts this year, hence the drop to this grade. Even the plunge to selling company may not help though and we prefer the claims of Hagley Park who at least has shown a bit of spark in her last two outings over the course and distance. She was only mastered close home by Torrent last time and that form, lowly as it was, should prove good enough. Torrent's trainer David Chapman sends out Soaked who owes his supporters nothing over the years. He is in the twilight of his career and deserves a welcome retirement. Arogant Prince has the assistance of Ian Mongan and is a previous course and distance winner, so should not be entirely discounted, but Hagley Park has gone close lately and can put things right.
