prominent, led over 1f out, pushed clear
slowly into stride, held up, pushed along halfway, effort over 4f out, weakened 3f out
set moderate pace, quickened pace over 3f out, hung right over 2f out, headed over 1f out, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong
in touch, ridden and bumped 2f out, soon weakened
keen, held up, headway 3f out, edged left 2f out, led over 1f out, soon headed, no extra inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
Just a small field for this listed contest and Dusky warbler could be the one to land this decent prize, with Alcazar and Hilbre Island the main threats. Michael Bell's gelding disappointed on his final outing at Doncaster in November but may have had enough for the season by then. Although he didn't manage to win a race, his earlier form was quite impressive including two gallant effort behind the superstar Persian Punch, he must have strong claims against today's opposition. Alcazar looks the best of them, Hughie Morrison's gelding finished second in the Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp before running gallant fourth behind some decent types at Doncaster, even though finding the mile and a half too short. Hilbre Island wasn't himself in the St Simon Stakes at Newbury but had earlier trounced some top performers at Newmarket and if returning to that sort of form will make a bold bid here. Of the others Taffrail was some good form in recent years and will be fit from a spell over hurdles, but on last season's form the pick has to be Dusky Warbler.
