pulled hard, chased winner after 2f, ridden 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
led early, chased winner 2f, prominent until weakened well over 1f out
took keen hold, held up in rear, ridden to challenge 2f out, no extra under pressure and weakened over 1f out
held up behind leaders, effort over 1f out, not quicken
chased leaders, pushed along 2f out, ridden to lead narrowly well inside final furlong, headed near finish, kept on well
raced towards centre, led after 1f, narrowly headed just inside final furlong, rallied and kept on gamely to lead again near finish
dwelt, held up in rear, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led narrowly just inside final furlong, headed towards finish, not quicken
A competitive race despite the small field, and Lunar Leo is just preferred to Taranaki, Royal Storm and Najeebon. The selection was well behind Taranaki in the Victoria Cup on his latest start, but there is little doubt that the draw beat him on that occasion, and he is better judged on his previous run, when third to Attache at Newmarket. A line through Selective on that particular running puts him a couple of pounds ahead of Taranaki, who is unlikely to get the strong pace he needs here anyway, and the booking of Kieren Fallon gives added strength to the selection. Royal Storm is a capable performer over this trip and was only just caught by the improving Craiova at Warwick last week so is capable of going close off his current mark. Najeebon is still relatively lightly-raced and has shaped as though this extra furlong would suit him, so he would come into the reckoning off just a six pounds higher mark than when winning over six furlongs at Pontefract.
