tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1out
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, just held
tracked leader, led over 3f out, soon ridden, kept on final furlong all out
held up in touch, effort over 3f out, never a factor
A small field for this Group 3 contest which can go to the progressive Akshar, to take on and beat some more highly rated rivals such as Duck Row and Bourgainville. Sir Michael Stoute's colt has been superbly campaigned by his master trainer, winning five races from seven and looks ready for the step up from handicap company to take on these of theoretically higher class. Though his last three wins have come over 10 furlongs, he won over a mile earlier in the campaign and so this nine furlongs should not present too many problems. Duck Row has contested plenty of top class races, and has won at this level in the past. James Toller's eight-year-old has not been tried over this trip since June 2002 and therefore there must be some doubt about his ability to genuinely see it out against a more thorough stayer like the selection. If there is to be any chink in the armour of Akshar then Duck Row might be the one to exploit it, but Bourgainville can have his say as well. Officially rated 1lb inferior to Duck Row, Bourgainville drops back slightly in trip after being campaigned largely at 10 furlongs, including when down the field behind Far Lane here in a valuable handicap in July. A decent effort in second last time out at Windsor will have put him straight again and the Pivotal gelding can make the frame here, but we will side with Akshar to take his first Group race.
