held up mid-division, ridden and weakened 4f out
in touch, ridden 5f out, kept on same pace
mid-division, headway 6f out, took closer order 3f out, went 2nd 1f out and kept on well
mid-division, headway 6f out, went 2nd 4f out, soon one-paced
soon led, headed 5f out, soon weakened
very keen and held up in rear, ridden 4f out, no impression
tracked leaders, lost place 4f out, rallied 3f out, stayed on well
held up, headway halfway to go in touch, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders throughout, ridden and one-paced 2f out
Gala Performance is bred to win a Derby but he has obviously had problems. The gelding by Saddler's Wells made a pleasing debut when weak in the market but stayed on well to be third behind Sixo at Newton Abbot. He is sure to strip fitter today and with normal improvement he will be hard to beat. Villa was a well backed favourite when winning a similar race at Towcester when he defeated Brad but he hung right on that occasion and this left handed track may not suit. Shady Anne won a similar race in good style at Bangor last time out but this looks more competitive and she may struggle under a penalty. Idbury is from a yard that has a fair success rate in these sort of races and a market move would be significant. Handover showed a modicum of promise on his debut when fourth behind Mister Wellard but that was on firm ground and he may find conditions against him. Of the others the well regarded Alligator Alley should be noted in the market. While Penge Point will know more than he did when a never nearer second behind Widemouth Bay at Wincanton.
