mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out
held up in rear, ridden 3f out, no response
slowly into stride, behind, ridden 4f out, soon lost touch
mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, no further headway
dwelt, in touch, pushed along and switched right well over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
steadied start, behind, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
held up, headway on outside over 3f out, edged right and no headway final furlong
led until over 2f out, weakened well inside final furlong
dwelt, soon in touch, led over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, headed near finish
tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied to lead near finish
chased leaders until weakened well over 1f out
The more open of the two divisions of this maiden and the main ones to consider look to be Cave Of The Giant, River Alhaarth, Registrar and One Good Thing, and we will side with Cave Of The Giant. The selection is bred to go well over a mile to 10 furlongs and we should see further evidence of that here. He ran very green on his Sandown debut until picking up and flying inside the final 100 yards, in the end not being beaten far after being last for much of the way. That experience should have done him the power of good and with the experience a big plus he can take this on his way to a potentially good three-year-old campaign. Another who can get better here is River Alhaarth, who showed up well enough on his Warwick debut. This extra furlong will suit, although easier ground would not be the best for him, but if the rains stay away then he can finish in the frame again. Registrar was given a nice introduction at Newmarket, where he was not asked any serious questions and finished midfield. He too looks to have much more to offer and can show immediate improvement, while One Good Thing should also confirm the promise of his first run, and Ampelio can get much better than his, so the race has an intriguing look. Not one to get the cheque book out for then, but we take Cave Of The Giant to score.
