keen hold mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, not reached leaders
towards rear, ridden and some headway over 1f out, not clear run inside final furlong, not recover
held up toward rear, effort and headway over 2f out, soon ridden and beaten
keen hold in touch, weakened over 3f out
keen hold in rear, ridden 3f out, hung right and one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and ran on strongly to lead close home
slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
towards rear and keen, good headway over 1f out, ridden and hampered inside final furlong, not recover
slowly into stride, mid-division, headway over 2f out to chase leaders, led inside final furlong, headed close home
hampered start, keen in mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong
in touch, ridden 2f out, kept on
prominent, ridden 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, no extra close home
Somerset West has been in good form of late but a 6lb rise for his latest success at Leicester leaves John Best's gelding with more to do and preference is for Desert Arc, who gets the vote over Saintly Place. The last mentioned has the assistance of one of the better amateurs around but Mick Channon's horse lacks a recent outing and that is of concern. Similar doubts can be raised about Andrew Balding's Emerald Fire and of more interest may be Secam, who showed signs of a revival at Southwell last time. The vote though goes to Desert Arc. Mark Brisbourne's gelding has already won two similar contests this term and, although below the form of those efforts last time, he was not suited by the step up to seven furlongs on his latest start. The return to six furlongs today should suit and, with the stable continuing in good form, Desert Arc gets the vote to resume winning ways in a poor contest.
