slowly away, pulled hard and soon prominent, weakened 2f out
soon chasing winner, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, no impression
made all, ridden over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong
took keen hold, headway over 3f out, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on one pace from over 1f out, no impression
mid-division until ridden and lost place over 5f out
prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
very slowly away, ridden 4f out, always behind, tailed off
Italian Romance gets the vote here, with Shadow Aspect, Desert Master and High Ambition heading up the shortlist. This doesn't look to be the toughest of maidens and the selection should finally be able to get his head in-front at the eighth attempt. The booking of Shane Kelly looks a good one for a horse that doesn't appear to be the most straightforward, and this drop back in trip today looks sure to suit. High Ambition has been running over further with not much luck, so drops in trip in the hope that it will bring about some improvement. However he doesn't appear to be a major threat, and neither does Shadow Aspect. He dropped in trip last time out after not staying when tried over hurdles but he appears to be mediocre at best. Desert Master is the most interesting of the newcomers and should be monitored for signs of confidence in the market. This isn't the toughest of introductions so he is entitled to go close. However we will give Italian Romance one more chance to finally get his head in front in his easiest race so far.
Desert Master Green Desert gelding out of winning sprinter Khambani.
High Ambition 4-1 (8-8) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 18l behind Credential (8-13) at Southwell 1m 3f app mdn (6) fbs.
Italian Romance 8-13fav (9-0) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, went 2nd 7f out, led over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Emilion (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Merlins Dreams 100-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, mid-division to rear, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, last of 16, well behind Show Winner (9-3) at Nottingham 1m 3yo mdn (5) hvy in Oct.
Shadow Aspect 16-1 (9-10) In rear, effort over 1f out, kept on through beaten horses, 6th of 11, 8l behind Ten A Penny (8-9) at W'hampton 7f mdn stk (5) pol.
Bond Sea Breeze (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Always in rear, last of 10, 18l behind Pride of Joy (9-8) at W'hampton 5f mdn stk (5) pol.
Inscribed (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, struggling over 2f out, 8th of 12, 10l behind Foreign Language (8-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Dec.
Kansas Feather (IRE) 125-1 (10-0) Behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by River Logic (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Nov, 13 ran (N.Hunt).
Most Becoming Most Welcome filly, half-sister to 1m1f-1m3f winner Berzoud.
