slowly into stride, outpaced
with leaders, close up over 1f out, one pace close home
with leaders, led over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, one pace
steadied start, soon in touch, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on
led, weakening when headed over 2f out
mid-division, headway approaching 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra
prominent, kept on same pace from 2f out
towards rear, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on but not trouble leaders
BATTLE is the pick for this maiden, being preferred to Five Star Junior and My Best Bet. The selection is having his third outing, and is being dropped down a further grade. Hughie Morrison's juveniles have been going well, and having been placed last time out, Battle can go a couple of places better this time around. My Best Bet is better drawn, and also looks the improving sort. Previously only tried in testing conditions, this surface will be an unknown quantity. Five Star Junior cost $140,000 back in February, and is also on an upward curve. Breeding suggests the all-weather may bring better results than turf. Richard Hannon saddles two of these; Retro looks the pick ahead of Merry May, but our selection is Battle.
Aestival 20-1 (9-3) In touch, ridden halfway, soon lost place, last of 6, 17l behind The Kyllachy Kid (9-3) at Ayr 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) hvy.
Battle 11-4 (9-3) Raced keenly, always prominent, switched right 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Purissima (8-12) at Warwick 6f 2yo mdn (5) gs.
Coeur Brule (FR) Polish Summer gelding out of Sally's Cry.
Five Star Junior (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Soon in rear, driven to close under pressure over 1f out, chased winner well inside final furlong, strong challenge near finish, just held, 2nd of 10, hd behind Victoria Sponge (9-0) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Molnaya (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, pushed along halfway, never on terms, 6th of 9, 11l behind Super Fourteen (9-3) at Brighton 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) gf in Sept.
Retro (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Chased leaders until weakened over 1f out, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Son of The Cat (9-3) at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) gs.
Valdemar 100-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, outpaced over 3f out, kept on to over 1f out, 4th of 9, 4l behind Plotting (8-7) at Southwell 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) fbs in Sept.
Whisky Jack 7-2 (8-12) Chased winner over 2f out, no impression final furlong, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Amber Sunset (8-4) at Warwick 7f 2yo mdn auc (5) sft.
Hekaaya (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Dwelt and always behind, last of 11, 21l behind Club Tahiti (8-12) at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs.
Merry May 66-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, no impression, 10th of 15, 12l behind Flintlock (9-3) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sept.
My Best Bet 4-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden and every chance 2f out, no extra close home, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Hit The Switch (9-3) at Hamilton 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) sft in Sept.
