last pair, headway on inside 1f out, soon not much room, stayed on, went 3rd towards finish
slowly into stride, in rear, switched outside off last bend, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish
led, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
prominent, led over 1f out, ran on, readily
took keen hold, prominent, not much room over 4f out, driven over 1f out, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace from over 1f out
After a string of consistent efforts in decent company, Finoah got off the mark at the 10th attempt at Redcar last month. It would be no surprise if he followed up here but Isaan Queen is still on an upward curve and won’t be far away if handling the change of surface. The penny has dropped with Shining Armor, who has won over 5f and 7f lately but was well beaten on his only previous try over 6f. An easy surface was a legitimate excuse last time for MORE THAN LIKELY and Richard Hughes’ filly won by seven lengths on her first run on the all-weather. She gets a tentative vote to bounce back today.
Finoah (IRE) 10-11fav (9-2) Made all, ridden inside final furlong, ran on well, unchallenged (hand timed), won at Redcar 6f stks (5) sft in Oct beating Pendleton (9-2) by 2 3/4l, 14 ran.
Isaan Queen (IRE) 2-1fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, effort to challenge on inside over 1f out, soon ridden, led narrowly entering final furlong, kept on, headed near finish, 2nd of 11, shd behind Tinto (8-12) at Kempton 6f (4) pol in Oct.
More Than Likely 20-1 (9-4) Went left start, raced keenly, chased leader until pushed along after halfway, weakened quickly inside final 2f, 13th of 14, 7 1/4l behind Luxor (9-1) at Newbury 6f (3) gs in Oct.
Shining Armor 5-2jfav (9-7) In touch, driven halfway, headway over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on well, won at Chelmsford City 5f (6) pol in Nov beating Kingi Compton (9-4) by 3l, 10 ran.
Champion Brogie (IRE) (8-12) 6th of 10, 5 1/2l behind Barbill (8-12) at Chantilly 5f lst stks sft in Nov.
Posh Perfect 12-1 (8-2) Chased leaders near side of group, weakened 2f out, last of 7, 14 3/4l behind She Can Boogie (8-13) at Nottingham 5f (2) gf in Oct.