held up in touch and keen, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened approaching final furlong
prominent and always going well, shaken up to lead 1f out, ran on
reared start, in rear, headway 4f out, weakened over 2f out
mid-division, headway over 2f out, edged left under pressure to chase winner final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, staying on moderately when not clear run final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression
led, fading when heading 1f out
This is not an easy race to sum up but maybe Just Fly, Najaaba, Binanti, Lilli Marlane, Creskeld and Trifti, with the pin coming down in favour of Just Fly. Looking at the field and Rafferty hasn't won for nearly two years but is still capable of going well if on song. Just Fly finished well over a shorter trip last time and could yet improve over the longer distance. Najaaba ran up a sequence at around this time last year and looked to be on the way back last time, as did Binanti, who is well weighted on the best of his Turf form, when a visor was refitted for his last run. It stays on today. Creskeld put up a game effort when attempting to make all here last time over a furlong further and should go well again, although Khanjar and the lightly raced Instructor were close up behind him that day. Lilli Marlane runs under a penalty after winning at Lingfield last time and can go well again if the kid glove treatment Eddie Ahern supplied so effectively on that occasion work again, although she has yet to race on this surface. Malibu ran pretty well from today's mark last time, and Trifti beat subsequent scorer Song Of Vala in a course and distance maiden here last time and seems to be on a fair mark for this handicap. He too can run well. Once again, though, in a tricky race, Just Fly might just hold the key.
