chased leaders, improved 2f out, switched right over 1f out, driven, ran on to lead post
chased leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden halfway, soon weakened
pecked start, always towards rear
slowly into stride, in rear, headway halfway, weakened well over 1f out
slowly into stride, always in rear
mid-division, ridden and headway halfway, weakened well over 1f out
Starduster can come good over the extra furlong, with Depressed, Bird Over and Dream Tonic all out to stop her. Rod Millman's filly is still a maiden, but will not be for much longer if her latest effort at Haydock is anything to go by. Not for the first time she came there holding every chance but was just found wanting in the closing stages, and at last, after 10 successive outings over the minimum, she finally gets the six furlongs that should bring about a change of luck. She handles a switchback track well, and was second in a nursery here last October, so there is no reason why she should not go close, with the ground to suit as well. Depressed makes a very quick reappearance after finishing third at Windsor on Monday evening, but may find this track on the fast side. Bird Over's winning run came to an end at Ripon last month, and it remains to be seen how she will handle the ground as well. In addition she has gone up the weights during her run of form, so will need to start coming back down before supporting again. Dream Tonic struggled in the rear at Goodwood six days ago and needs a big effort, while Fardi's stable was in cracking form last week, but he too disappointed on his latest outing at Salisbury. All in all, Starduster deserves a change of luck, and with conditions in her favour, is worth chancing.
Bird Over 9-2 (9-3) In touch, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 6l behind Paris Bell (9-4) at Ripon 6f 3yo hcp (4) sft in May.
Dart Along (USA) 9-2 (8-9) Led 2f, stayed with leader, every chance over 1f out, not quicken and weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 4l behind Coup d'Etat (8-12) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp (3) gf.
Dream Tonic 7-1 (8-11) Behind most of way, 12th of 14, 16l behind Goodwood Spirit (9-1) at Newbury 1m 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Depressed 14-1 (8-8) Prominent, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, not quicken final furlong, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Fisberry (8-12) at Windsor 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Fardi (IRE) 13-8fav (9-0) Prominent, joined leader over 3f out, soon led, headed 2f out, ridden and weakened rapidly over 1f out, 7th of 13, 9l behind Macaulay (9-0) at Salisbury 7f 3yo mdn (5) gf.
Cree 16-1 (8-4) Raced far side, prominent, hard ridden 2f out, no extra over 1f out, 7th of 14, 6l behind Go Mo (8-8) at Folkestone 6f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
