tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and edged right entering final furlong, eased towards finish
started slowly, behind, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
keen, in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, no chance with winner
led, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed on same pace
A disappointing turnout from 23 entries, but competitive nonetheless with the likes of Aurelia and Negwa in opposition, but the vote goes to Cohn Blue, who should prove well suited to this stamina test for two-year-olds. Amanda Perrett's colt looks to have stamina aplenty when scoring at Chepstow in August and while he hasn't been seen since, fitness isn't an issue with her yard firing on all cylinders. Aurelia showed fine battling qualities when scoring at Bath and this half-sister to Oaks second Shamshir should prove at least as effective over this trip. She will be tough to beat. Negwa, a half-sister to four winners, notably Listed winner Island Sound, as well as the useful middle-distance handicapper Serge Lifar, has shown enough to suggest she can pay her way, but she looks booked for minor honours here. Mocca looks to have plenty on at this level, but it would be dangerous to underestimate Darsalam, who was too green to do himself justice at Pontefract last week. While he will have to improve considerably to figure here, it isn't out of the question. However, Cohn Blue is open to any amount of improvement and is taken to continue his upward curve.
