tracked leaders, pulled hard early, driven over 3f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, never on terms
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, never able to challenge
started very slowly, held up in rear, driven and headway well over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on strongly inside final furlong to lead towards finish (no time taken)
pulled hard in rear, never dangerous
held up in touch, under pressure well over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
always prominent, driven to lead 1f out, headed and no extra close home
led, driven and headed 1f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, switched left and effort over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, never nearer
It's no surprise to see SPEED DATING fitted with blinkers and they may well make a significant difference; he does need plenty of encouragement though and if Rosie Jessop fails to get the best out of him then perhaps Quarante Deux or Penton Hook may be able to capitalise. Rosie Jessop has ridden plenty of winners for Sir Mark Prescott but Speed Dating could provide her with a challenge as the gelding has done little when hitting the front this season and has turned victory into defeat on a couple of occasions. That may well mean that he's still ahead of the handicapper if the blinkers have the desired effect and they may also help him cope with the drop back in trip. Penton Hook won first time up last season and remains unexposed after just five starts and one at this trip; his yard is capable of producing one on the back of an absence and he has to be considered. Quarante Deux is less exposed than him following a maiden win at Wolverhampton but he's not obviously well handicapped off 75 given that the head runner-up was rated just 61 when winning next time and that the third and fourth have yet to win. Dream Of Fortune hasn't been with his current yard for long and has slipped to a favourable mark so is another that rates a danger to the selection, Speed Dating.
Penton Hook 2-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, led 7f out, ridden and headed narrowly 2f out, still every chance entering final furlong, unable to quicken towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Free Tussy (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Dinner Date 17-2 (9-4) Towards rear, driven 3f out, never dangerous, 7th of 10, 19l behind King Zeal (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 2f app hcp 0-60 (6) gf.
Quarante Deux (USA) 9-2 (9-13) Dwelt, tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, held on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan beating Riviera Chic (8-1) by hd, 7 ran.
Speed Dating 10-3fav (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, carried wide entering straight, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed post, 2nd of 10, ns behind Proud Times (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Expensive Problem 11-2 (9-4) Held up towards rear, headway on inside 3f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 8l behind Mishrif (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in May.
Formidable Guest 13-2 (9-4) Held up in mid-division, ridden and short lived effort over 1f out, 7th of 13, 8l behind Penchesco (9-0) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Apr.
Mons Calpe (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, driven over 2f out, weakened inisde final furlong, 5th of 10, 10l behind Proud Times (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Zerzura 25-1 (9-1) Led 2f, prominent until weakened over 3f out, tailed off, last of 10, 50l behind Proud Times (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Dream of Fortune (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) Dwelt, held up towards rear, headway on inside and squeezed through over 1f out, never reached leaders, eased when no impression near finish, 7th of 13, 6l behind Beaubrav (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 2f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
Apex 12-1 (8-10) Held up in 6th, effort on outer when not clear run and switched inside 2f out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never troubled leaders, 4th of 7, 6l behind King's Masque (8-12) at Chepstow 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May.
