chased leader, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, ridden and switched right over 1f out, stayed on to dispute 2nd on line
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear and pushed along, headway over 3f out, weakened 2f out
mid-division, weakened over 2f out
chased leader, ridden and outpaced 2f out, no impression
mid-division, pushed along and ran green outpaced from 4f out
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, kept on to lead inside final furlong
in touch, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear and pushed along, never a factor
At the time of writing Mark Johnston's last couple of winners had been juveniles and he can record another success in this sphere with Love Valentine, who can be too good for Maryqueenofscots, Ballochroy, and Boy Blue. Love Valentine is a January filly by Fruits Of Love and is a half sister to Salsa Brava and Stagehand, the latter a 7f winner at two. With the yard in good form and fitness not an issue, the filly can score on debut. Maryqueenofscots is another related to winners at this trip and her yard is still going well enough, so it will be no surprise to see her put up a good debut effort. Ballochroy showed plenty of improvement from his first run to his second when stepped up to this trip at Newbury last time and he is likely to be able to find a bit more now, so he can't be discounted, while Boy Blue ran green enough at Newcastle and is another who should go better this time. It's intriguing then, and our vote goes to Love Valentine.
Ballochroy (IRE) 33-1 (9-3) Behind, headway and effort over 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Marchpane (8-12) at Newbury 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) gd in Aug.
Blindspin 25-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, always rear division, 12th of 13, 14l behind River Bounty (8-1) at Haydock 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Aug.
Boy Blue 40-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, towards rear, headway halfway, effort over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 7l behind Alan Devonshire (9-3) at Newcastle 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) gd in Aug.
Halton Castle 25-1 (9-3) Led, headed over 3f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 7, 27l behind Eastern Gift (9-3) at Chester 7f 2yo mdn (3) gf.
Potemkin (USA) 25-1 (9-1) Held up, shaken up over 2f out, no progress, 10th of 13, 11l behind Dancer's Legacy (8-11) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) gf in Aug.
Trip The Light 16-1 (9-3) Towards rear and soon chased along, some late headway, never near to challenge, 5th of 9, 10l behind American Art (9-3) at Pontefract 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Aug.
Incarnation (IRE) Samum filly, half-sister to 1m2f winner Regal Patrol and smart 7f-1m1f winner Norse Dancer.
Love Valentine (IRE) Fruits Of Love filly, half-sister to winning sprinter Salsa Brava and 7f winner Stagehand.
Maryqueenofscots (IRE) Fantastic Light filly, half-sister to 7f-1m3f winner Shujoon.
Seta Pura Domedriver filly, half-sister to several winners from 5f-1m4f.
Ugly Betty Where Or When filly out of an unraced mare.
