raced centre, dwelt, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, no impression final furlong
raced centre, in touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
raced centre, behind from halfway
raced centre, held up, headway over 1f out, ridden and chased winner inside final furlong, unable to quicken near finish
raced centre, held up, effort 2f out, ridden and edged right over 1f out, weakened final furlong
raced centre, with leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
raced alone stand side, close up, ridden and led over 1f out, edged right final furlong, ridden out
raced centre, held up, ridden halfway kept on one pace
raced centre, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
raced centre, stumbled start, soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong
raced centre, held up, never dangerous
A few of these have been hard to win with so it would be no surprise to see Leoballero shrug off joint top weight in this company and lead home the likes of St Pancras and Alchemist Master, who arrive here in decent form and will not make it easy for the selection. The same comments apply to Pintle, who is unexposed at the trip and still open to a good deal of improvement. This contrasts The Bonus King, whose form was beginning to dip long before he left Mark Johnston and now he has a little to prove on his first start for his new yard. Midnight Ballard has some course and distance experience to his name and is definitely worth monitoring for signs of support in the betting ring, while the booking of Darryll Holland for St Pancras virtually assures that the Danehill Dancer colt will be a popular choice. Alchemist Master also has to be placed high on the shortlist as he has improved with every outing this season. He does have below par effort from last time to brush aside though and, with his 6lb penalty still in place, he may have to settle for a minor role again here. Which brings us back to Leoballero, who shaped as if he were coming back to something like his best in a better race than this at Newmarket last month and is worth preserving with after such an encouraging display. The fitting of a tongue tie (which is in place again today) may have been instrumental in that effort and another bold bid is anticipated from this lightly raced gelding.
