always prominent, led over 2f out, ridden out
held up in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, chased winner final furlong, kept on same pace
held up, headway over 1f out, weakened in final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden and effort over 1f out, never on terms
always behind
held up mid-division, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 1f out, never troubled leaders
It will be a great feat of training if David Elsworth's Island Sound can manage to repeat his year 2000 win in this race and the six-year-old would round off a fairytale season for the Whitsbury-based trainer if he could pull it off. However, recent evidence suggests the ink should be saved for another day and Far Lane looks to be easily the safer option in this year's renewal. Nevertheless, this does look to be as competitive as ever and the respective connections of Council's Opinion, Bustan and the enigmatic Pawn Broker will no doubt have done their homework in plotting the downfall of the obvious form horse for the race this time around. But, with some solid efforts throughout the course of this season, Far Lane is taken to uphold the Darley Stakes form despite being burdened with a 7lb Group race penalty today. The Elsworth team will be hoping that this will be enough to tip the scales in the favour of Pawn Broker, but he has never been one to rely upon too heavily and the fact that he cannot be relied upon to run two races the same if off-putting for those planning a heavy punt for win only purposes. The form of the Cambridgeshire running also suggests that Far Lane is capable of giving weight away today and he has an excellent chance of adding to the excellent strike-rate registered by Barry Hill's runners this season. Bustan is lightly raced this season and may give the selection the most to do.
