held up and always behind
slowly into stride, rear, headway 3f out, chasing leaders when edged left under pressure entering final furlong, one pace
in touch, pushed along 4f out, headway to go 2nd over 1f out, strong challenge final furlong, dead heated on line
mid-division, hard ridden 3f out, soon weakened
led, pushed along 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leader 10f out to over 1f out, no extra final furlong
tracked leader, settled 3rd 10f out, led going well over 2f out, hard driven final furlong, joined post
close up, weakeneing when not much room over 1f out
keen hold towards rear, steady headway on rails from 4f out, not much room over 2f out, staying one one pace and no chance when not much room entering final furlong
pulled hard early, held up in rear, headway and switched to rails from 3f out, chased leaders from 2f out, one pace final furlong
took keen hold, held up towards rear, ridden 4f out, soon beaten
Not too many of these can be confidently ruled out and Pagan Dance is a far from confident selection to get the better of Starry Lodge, Anticipating and Prins Willem on these terms. The Amanda Perrett-trained selection has improved since he was upped in distance and his proven ability for this trip could be the crucial factor today. He does have a slightly awkward head carriage; which will be extenuated with the fitting of cheekpieces. However, he also has a willing attitude and should have no problems with the anticipated going. Of the others, Ring Of Destiny appears to have a stiff test as he is set to race off a 6lb higher than his latest victory at Thirsk and is passed over from top weight today. Starry Lodge has taken plenty of time to come into himself but is now developing into quite a useful handicapper at around this level. He has form on both firm and ground with some cut in it and looks ready for a try at this sort of trip - he could be a danger to all if he sees out the distance. Prins Willem and Magical Mistress are other to hold solid place claims on the pick of their form but may just find one to good here. And, with the ground in his favour, that could be Pagan Dance, who edges a narrow vote in a tricky opener.
