soon pushed along in mid-division, never going pace to challenge
in touch, pushed along over 1f out, pressed winner inside final furlong, ran on
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, pressed leaders 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakening when hampered just inside final furlong
held up in touch, pushed along 2f out, weakened 1f out
held up, headway over 2f out, pressed leaders 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
held up, effort on inside over 1f out, one pace final furlong
In a maiden that appears to lack strength in depth Firenze would not have to be brilliant to score, with Indiana Blues and Millinsky possibly proving best of the others. The James Fanshawe-trained selection is a sister to the high-class sprinter Frizzante and, if the market indicates strong support for her, she has to go well in this five-furlong contest which, as we say, lacks strength. Turning to the others. Green Ridge's best run to date came at Redcar last time when second to Extremely Rare, which equates to a mark of around 70, but Speed Cop's half-sister, Indiana Blues, holds chances based on her Goodwood fourth in May. That was over seven furlongs and it is interesting to note that this speedily-bred filly drops to five today, has Kieren Fallon in the plate and has blinkers fitted for the first time. Millinsky, who is also bred for speed, showed promise on her debut, while much as Frankie Dettori has been booked for Loveyoulongtime, Indiana Blues is possibly the stronger of the two Andrew Balding entries. Royal Challenge is bred to be quick and, with his stable back among the winners on Turf again, could go well and Tregarron is closely related to Tomba and, much as his form tailed off in the latter part of last season, a return to the level of earlier form from last season could see him go well. Overall, though, it could be that James Fanshawe - whose stable is going well at present - has found an ideal opening for Firenze.
