led early, with leader, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out
chased leaders, led 3f out, ridden and headed 2f out, stayed on
slowly into stride, held up, headway over 3f out, led 2f out, driven out
slowly into stride, in touch, headway over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, led over 4f out, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out
soon led, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
started slowly, behind, ridden over 4f out, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
A moderate contest to end with, but Factual Lad comes here in his best form for some time and may be good enough to complete the hat-trick. Rod Millman's gelding had become well handicapped having not won for three years, and off just a 1lb higher mark than when seeing off Willoughby's Boy at Brighton last time, he looks to have been given every chance by the Handicapper of success. The Fairy Flag lacks consistency, but she has gone well for an inexperienced rider in the past and is not one to dismiss lightly, as she can race off the same mark as when just denied by Cripsey Brook, who was winning her 5th race of the season. Stephanie Hollingshead gets on well with Vermillion Creek, a big plus in a race like this, and although the filly is basically a plater, she isn't out of this. Madaar isn't straightforward and doesn't appeal as a ride for an apprentice, while Cezzaro normally wins one race a year, and he has already had his quota for this year. Luxor is well treated on the best of his form, but he hasn't shown that since winning here last October. So with so many iffs and buts about the well-being of most of these it may pay to stick with the in-form Factual Lad to continue his winning ways.
