raced keenly tracking leaders on outside, 2nd 8f out, ridden and no impression when lost 2nd entering final 2f, edged left and weakened soon after
led at steady pace, stayed alone on inside rail in straight, went for home and ridden clear 2f out, reduced lead final furlong headed and no extra final 100 yards, lost 2nd close home
held up in touch, came widest into straight, 2nd but still plenty to do entering final 2f, closed final furlong, stayed on to lead final 100 yards
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, 3rd and still plenty to do inside final 2f, closed final furlong, went 2nd close home, no chance to reach winner
tracked leader 2f, tracked leaders, hung left and weakened 2f out
steadied start, held up in touch, pushed along and outpaced over 2f out, weakened soon after
tracked ledaers, pushed along and lost place over 3f out, soon behind
This might be a stronger maiden than first appears. Prendergast Hill arguably has the best form having run Movie Set to a length-and-a-quarter at Ascot but Swashbuckling should improve on his debut third behind Persun, who runs earlier on the card, at Newmarket. Trevisani and Enchanted Moment have shown promise but confidence behind Astral Storm at Chepstow proved misplaced as he was well beaten, though he is probably capable of better. DESERT ENCOUNTER has been off the track since the end of last year but his pedigree suggests he'll enjoy this step up in distance and it could be worth taking a chance on his fitness given his stable is in terrific form.
Astral Storm 2-1fav (9-5) Bumped start, held up towards rear, ridden and some headway 3f out, no impression, weakened 2f out, 8th of 11, 18 1/4l behind Predominance (9-5) at Chepstow 7f mdn stks (5) sft in Sep.
Desert Encounter (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, not clear run over 1f out, ridden to go 2nd near finish, 2nd of 17, 1 3/4l behind Arcano Gold (9-5) at Nottingham 1m mdn stks (5) gd in Nov.
Prendergast Hill (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders on inside, ridden over 1f out, kept on into 2nd final 100 yards, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Movie Set (9-0) at Ascot 1m 2f mdn stks (4) gs in Sep.
Swashbuckling (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Held up, headway over 2f out,. ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Persun (9-0) at Newmarket 1m mdn stks (5) gs in Aug.
Trevisani (IRE) 7-4fav (9-5) Led, headed over 8f out, tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 4 1/4l behind Anzhelika (9-0) at Salisbury 1m 2f mdn stks (5) gd in Sep.
Enchanted Moment 50-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 5 3/4l behind Dream Job (9-0) at Chester 1m 2f mdn fll stks (4) gd in Sep.
Melting Ice (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Towards rear, ridden and weakened over 1f out, eased final furlong, 6th of 7, 19 3/4l behind Floriss (9-0) at Newmarket 1m mdn fll stks (5) gf in Jul.
