tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3f out
in rear, ridden along 4f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden to chase winner approaching 2f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, ridden and outpaced 4f out, stayed on towards finish (unseated rider after post)
steadied start, held up, ridden over 4f out, no impression
held up in touch, ridden and lost place over 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner from over 2f out, soon no impression
Quite a tight contest on official ratings with just 6lbs covering eight of these, however, there aren't that many coming into this in good form and with form around here, so it may pay to concentrate on the enigmatic Willoughby's Boy, Melody Master and the Gaye Kellaway trained Vortex, whose stable have been in much better form this last fortnight and he is the selection. Disappointing for Sir Michael Stoute last year, he finally lost his maiden tag on this surface when proving too strong for Lobos, in what was just an average maiden contest, which prompted his new handler to suggest "he could be my Hunt Cup horse". While he clearly hasn't filled those expectations, he should be good enough at this level and can prove too strong over this trip for Willoughby's Boy, who would ideally like another couple of furlongs. Ben Hanbury's six-year-old isn't the easiest of rides, but he has won under Kieren Fallon and will need a decent gallop at this trip if he is to figure. Melody Master, who was kept busy through the winter, was entitled to need her outing here last month, her first for nearly 10 weeks. If she is back to her best, it isn't hard to see her running a big race. Of the others Miss Jingles will appreciate the drop in class, after facing some difficult tasks of late and a reproduction of her second to Highland Shot over course and distance back in April, would see her go close at this level.
