in touch and keen, headway to chase leaders over 3f out, every chance 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
soon led, ridden over 3f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden well over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
took keen hold, prominent, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, nearest at finish
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, ran on well inside last, no chance with winner
led early, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
always towards rear
slowly into stride, held up mid-division and raced keen, effort and not much room over 1f out, soon no impression
held up mid-division, ridden and not much room over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, ran on well
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, ran on strongly to lead inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden and not much room over 1f out, one pace final furlong
A very tricky opener to the card can go to Middlemarch, who is definitely better than he has consented to show this season and, thus, gets in here off a very attractive looking mark. There are dangers aplenty though as the likes of James Caird, Intricate Web and Consonant all merit respect and have to be shortlisted as live dangers. Whilst it will also be dangerous to rule out a bold bid from Our Teddy, who is another that has some solid form to his name and his latest start gave some positive indications that he may be on his way back. However, Middlemarch, who will be seen to better effect on this faster surface, should appreciate the ease in grade today. The Grand Lodge colt has been set some very stiff tasks this season and has fared much better than his finishing positions would suggest. The former Aidan O'Brien inmate is a prime candidate to tow them along at a decent clip and he will not be easy to overhaul if he is allowed an easy time of things up front. The fitting of cheeckpieces is also a further plus beside his name and, with a good draw to factor in, Middlemarch can finally show exactly why his current connections paid out 100,000gns for him to race in their colours.