started slowly, always outpaced, in rear
made all, led, pressed over 4f out, ridden clear and edged left over 1f out, driven out unchallenged
in touch 4th, ridden 3f out, kept on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, no chance with winner
slowly into stride, always behind, struggling over 2f out
tracked leaders, pressed winner over 4f out, outpaced over 1f out, lost 2nd well inside final furlong
tracked winner to over 4f out, chased leaders after, weakened approaching final furlong
always behind and struggling over 2f out
Peter Makin has enjoyed a good spell with his string of All Weather horses this winter and can pick up again with Lopinot, who is confidently expected to cope with the challenges presented by Fairdonna and Clear Picture. The last named is also from a yard going great guns and it would come as no surprise to see her make a bold attempt even though she has been off the track for the best part of a year. The daughter of Observatory does lack experience of the AW surfaces though, so her ability to cope obviously has to be taken on trust. Fairdonna has become something of a nearly horse after making the frame in each of her last three starts. She is an honest type though and will be waiting in the wings if the selection fails to deliver. From the others: Big Ralph and Rusty Roof have already been brushed aside by Lopinot and need more than luck to reverse the form. Therefore, this looks a good opportunity for the Makin team to expand on their recent haul, while Lopinot finally gets her just deserts with a first career win.
Big Ralph 33-1 (9-3) Soon well outpaced in rear, never a factor, 5th of 7, 19l behind Ektimaal (9-3) at Kempton 7f mdn aut stk (6) pol.
Kolibre 20-1 (8-11) Pulled hard in rear, hung badly right after 2f, raced very wide afterwards, soon tailed off and eased, last of 13, well behind Sigismundus (8-8) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Dec '05.
Lopinot (IRE) 5-6fav (9-3) Led, kicked on over 2f out, strongly pressed over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, not pace of winner, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Ektimaal (9-3) at Kempton 7f mdn aut stk (6) pol.
Sun Bian 66-1 (8-13) Mid-division, lost place, not much room over 5f out, soon behind, 14th of 15, 26l behind Hail The Chief (9-5) at Nottingham 1m hcap (5) sft in Apr.
Clear Picture 100-1 (9-0) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 13th of 16, 14l behind Wasseema (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3yo mdn fll (5) gf in Jun.
Fairdonna Evensfav (8-12) Chased leaders, headway over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Networker (9-3) at W'hampton 7f mdn aut stk (5) pol in Dec.
Miss Redactive 66-1 (8-6) Always rear division, 10th of 11, 17l behind Wodhill Be (8-6) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs.
Rusty Roof 50-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, ran green in rear, moderate late headway, 4th of 7, 18l behind Ektimaal (9-3) at Kempton 7f mdn aut stk (6) pol.
