always towards rear
held up, ridden and headway well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well
mid-division, ridden halfway, kept on same pace final furlong, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
in touch, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
behind, effort halfway, never dangerous
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
reared start, always well behind
with leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
with leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakend
slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 2f out, headway when hung left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
in touch, ridden and hampered over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
Halmahera is given the confident vote with Quito, Pivotal Point and Chappel Crescent the others on the shortlist. The selection was a good fourth behind Bahamian Pirate in very heavy ground last time at Thirsk. This faster ground will be more suitable here and with a fast pace guaranteed he will be hard to beat. Quito is dropped in grade after being well beaten in a Listed race behind Rockets 'n' Rollers over 7 furlongs. He is equally effective at this trip and looks capable of running a big race. Pivotal Point was a good second behind Masaader last time and as he is still lightly-raced he could still be open to plenty of improvement. Chappel Crescent won well last time at Chester in a competitive handicap, but he was allowed to dictate from the front that day and might not get that luxury here. This is a difficult race to call but Halmahera has conditions to suit, is well drawn in stall 6 and looks the one to beat.