slowly into stride and ridden towards rear, hung right over 4f out, soon lost touch, rallied 2f out, stayed on final furlong
held up in mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, no impression
made all, ridden and quickened 3f out, pushed out final furlong, comfortably
chased leader, ridden 3f out, outpaced over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
held up in touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on well from over 1f out, not reach winner
John Dunlop relies on In The Fan who may improve enough to repel the challenge of Secret Pact, with Discomania and newcomer Kiswahili worth a mention. Although it is always dangerous to expect juveniles to improve enough on promising debut efforts to oblige at the second time of asking, there was a lot to like about In The Fan's performance behind Fox at Newmarket last month. Despite not being given a hard time when the favourite finally had his measure, In The Fan was beaten less than a length, with the third horse six lengths away. Also, the fact that his trainer lets him take his chance rather than relying on Derby entry Tombola who was also entered up augurs well for his chances. Mark Johnston unleashed a smart juvenile in Shamardal on Monday, and although Secret Pact may not be in the same league, he is going the right way and cannot be let out of calculations. Kiswahili comes from the shrewdest of yards so a glance at the market will tell us more nearer the time, while Discomania, related to the likes of Clog Dance and Tuning, will improve for a step up in trip in time. For the answer to the opener we return to In The Fan.
