switched left to race centre 5f out, always in rear
raced centre, held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on never nearer
raced centre, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced centre, led until halfway, weakened over 1f out
raced centre, with leaders, weakened over 2f out
raced stands' side, chased leader, hung left over 5f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
raced centre, held up, never dangerous
raced centre, bumped start, chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon one pace
raced centre, in touch, led halfway, ridden clear over 1f out
raced centre, held up in rear, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, never nearer
raced stands' side, led that pair 4f
raced centre, slowly into stride, held up, headway over 1f out, kept on one pace
raced centre, went left start, chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
The handicapper has given a chance to Queenstown and, dropping in trip today, Brian Meehan's gelding could provide some value in a tricky race; Ali Deo, Dellagio and Soviet Sceptre are also on the shortlist. The latter showed plenty of promise when third on soft ground at Nottingham on reappearance, and ran reasonably well on his first start since changing stables last time. Ali Deo appeared not to stay ten furlongs at Ascot last time but this trip should be more suitable and his earlier form at Beverley and particularly when third in a Classified Stakes at Chepstow would give him every chance. Dellagio struck form at Carlisle last time out, and while that form is not certain to be reproduced over this longer trip, cannot be entirely ruled out. So we'll take a chance on Queenstown, who has now slipped to a mark of 64, which is fully 24 pounds lower than when finishing a close fourth in a valuable nursery at Doncaster last year. His main problem this season is that he has pulled far too hard, and the drop to seven furlongs is sure to help. Queenstown is by no means a confident selection, but looks capable of going well at a fair price.
