tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon headed, led again inside final furlong, headed and stayed on
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied to lead again near finish, headed post
keen, tracked leader, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, driven to lead post
held up in touch, effort over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
Cases can be made for a number of these and the selection of Flowerdrum is made in the hope that Kieren Fallon can weave his magic with the daughter of Mister Baileys. The bang-in-form La Persianna, along with Ice Palace and Bowstring are others to place on the shortlist, as any none can confidently be ruled out here. The first named has strung together a series of solid efforts and has already proved herself to be at least a very useful handicapper. Her connections are obviously keen to increase her paddocks value by gaining some black type and she will be going hell-for-leather over a trip that obviously suits. However, like Ice Palace, she has to give a little weight away today and will do well to hold all comers on these terms. So too will Ice Palace, who won a similar contest in gritty fashion last time. It is worth bearing in mind that she had to work hard to get the better of a rival that was rated 9lb inferior to her though and she looks vulnerable here. Therefore, we take a chance with Flowerdrum, who is set to encounter her ideal conditions for the first time in an age. The booking of Fallon is an obvious plus and we expect the partnership to be still full of running when the others have cried enough on this stamina-sapping ground.
