tracked leaders, ridden to chase leader approaching 2f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, pushed along over 4f out, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
tracked leader, led 9f out until 5f out, kept on one pace final 2f
slowly away, always in rear
led, headed 9f out, led again 5f out, ridden 3 lengths clear 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra
Enthusiasm will be dragged over hot coals for this as all seven have been extremely hard to predict over the years and it may be prudent to wait and see which horses attract support from the betting ring. However, Royal Axminster does at least go well on this surface and is given a chance to double his tally of career wins to two if the breaks in running unfold to suit him today. The Last Mohican and Broughtons Mill are capable of figuring strongly at this level and can scrap it out as the best of the rest - while there is not much between Leophin Dancer and Neptune on their recent form and they should also do their bit to ensure that this is as competitive a contest as can be mustered for the grade. However, Royal Axminster has responded well for lady riders in the past and, with Amy Baker taking 7lb of with her claim, he has very sound claims at the weights today. The distance should also bring the best out of the Alzao gelding and he gets the vote as the value selection in a very tricky opener to Lingfield's action.
