tracked leaders and keen, chased winner 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression
held up in touch, pushed along and weakened 3f out
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong
led early, ridden 4f out, one pace final 2f
made virtually all, ridden over 2f out, comfortably
keen, tracked winner until ridden and weakened 3f out
A disappointing turnout, but an interesting heat nonetheless. It will be interesting to see how Ephesus handles this surface, having only run on the Polytrack to date. He is by Efisio, who himself was suited by plenty of cut, so there is every reason to believe he could well improve for this slower track. Yarrita is out of a mare who never won beyond six-furlongs, so it remains to be seen whether this trip will suit, while Dispol Peto has more to do than when winning a claimer at Southwell. It is hard to know what to make of handicap debutante Dubai Tower. He was just behind a 62 rated animal earlier this month and while he is open to improvement, the Handicapper doesn't look to have taken any chances in allotting him a rating of 65. Kinbalu looks to have too much on at this level, so the vote goes to Caroubier, who was in good form here at the turn of the year. He will be much happier back on this surface after finding the Polytrack too fast for him last time.
