always behind, never going well, pulled up halfway
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, ran on
led, ridden over 4f out, headed over 2f out, stayed on
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace from over 1f out
held up, effort over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, hung left and weakened over 3f out
Quite a decent staying contest with five of the six runners already winners. The only maiden in the field Saphila will need to improve for the step up in trip to make an impact here, so this looks likely to be fought out between Tempsford and Fantastico, with the latter getting the nod. The selection has taken a while to lose her maiden tag, but she did so in style when running out an easy winner, in what it must be said was a poor contest at Folkestone. However, that did confirm her well-being and although she has a penalty to shoulder here, it may pay to stick with a filly in-form. Tempsford has a progressive profile and there may have been a valid excuse for his defeat at Salisbury as that was his third race within a week. Given a break since then, it would come as no surprise to see him bounce back. Victory Quest has a chance similar to Fantastico on their running at Goodwood, but the latter has certainly improved since then and should come out on top on these revised terms, while Sonoma certainly has more to do than when winning a moderate maiden at Catterick. Intercession has been disappointing lately and this step up in trip looks a last throw of the dice for him, so this looks best left to the in-form Fantastico to get the better of Tempsford.
