chased leaders, joined leader approaching 4th, led after 3 out, driven out
held up, behind from 3rd, soon tailed off
led, ridden and hung left and headed after 3 out, no extra flat
chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, chased winner after last, not quicken
held up in rear, well behind from 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before last
It is obviously going to be used as a learning platform for all the runners concerned in the opener, but it will be surprising if Murat has not improved from his debut run and he is taken to be progressive enough to deal with the task in hand today. The Martin Pipe-trained four-year-old made an eye-catching enough racecourse bow to give him the edge over Burning Shore, who has taken well to this game and is fancied to give the selection the most to do out of those with experience. Whereas Nigel Twiston-Davies introduces Dickensbury Lad at a realistic level for his first appearance at a racecourse. However, as he is by a modest stayer from the Flat, his pedigree does not look to be anything out of the ordinary and he is probably best watched today. Therefore, Murat looks the safest option here. His effort behind Predestine was given a solid boost when that rival put in a bold display behind Le Royal at Haydock last month and, with normal improvement expected, Murat is confidently expected to open his account today.
