held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden to press leader just inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final 75 yards
in rear, late headway final furlong, no danger
pressed leader, ridden over 3f out, soon lost place
chased leaders, ridden 4f out, soon behind
close up, ridden to lead over 1f out, unable to quicken, headed final 75 yards
started very slowly, virtually refused to race
in touch, effort on inner, switched left over 1f out, stayed on
chased leaders, challenged 2f out, every chance when hung left over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, driven along over 2f out, soon weakened
behind, kept on under pressure final 2f, no danger
close up, ridden 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, not pace to trouble leaders
made most at strong pace, headed, weakened over 1f out
in touch to halfway, weakened rapidly, tailed off final 2f
behind, kept on final furlong, never near leaders
A poor event that is little better than a seller and Lyrical Way looks the safest option while Dodona, Fantasy Crusader and Grand Halo look best of the remainder. The son of Vettori had proved disappointing earlier in the year but finally opened his account in a fair Salisbury handicap last month and looks the type worth following with his confidence on a high. The selection has been raised 5lb since but remains on a fair mark and goes particularly well for today's pilot so has plenty in his favour. There is little to choose between Fantasy Crusader and Dodona who were separated by a short head when first and second respectively at Lingfield last month. The former possibly failed to last home over a longer trip last time and can be expected to give another good account while Dodona has proved a model of consistency and can't be ruled out despite conceding lumps of weight all round. Grand Halo stepped up on previous efforts for a change to front running tactics when last seen out at Warwick in June and this relatively lightly raced sort could prove hard to peg back on this sharp track if fit following an absence.
