tracked leader, led briefly over 6f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up, not much room over 2f out, one paced final furlong
led setting slow pace, steadied and headed over 6f out, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
prominent, led 2f out, ran on well
keen in rear, headway to lead 6f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up towards rear, ridden and headway on inside over 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong
keen in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden 2f out, no impression
Although not obviously well treated, Salisbury winner Fast Foil is difficult to oppose and gets the verdict over two other last time out winners Vermilion Creek and Replacement Pet. The selection had been beaten in four successive starts off a mark of 72 but the handicapper's decision not to drop her in the weights proved correct when the daughter of Lahib came good at Salisbury last month. Driven out to beat Flight Of Esteem by half-a-length, Fast Foil has justifiably been raised 3lbs since then and, in a poor contest, is taken to overcome the hike in the weights. Vermilion Creek is 9lbs higher than when winning at Ripon last time while Replacement Pet is not the most consistent of performers and cannot be relied upon to reproduce her running over course and distance on her most recent start. A bigger danger then may be Thirsk maiden winner Wondrous Joy, who steps up to this trip for the first time. Tight Squeeze and Thorntoun Gold are reliable sorts and can be expected to run their usual races but, if Fast Foil reproduces her running of last time, she will be tough to beat.
