hampered at start, behind and never a factor
led, pushed along 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, just failed
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
held up towards rear, pushed along and headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on under pressure final furlong, held on
Maiden winners Invasian and West Highland Way have to be respected in this handicap but Distant Connection looks well treated and gets the vote to take advantage of a favourable mark. The selection is due to go up 7lbs in future handicaps following a win at Sandown and fine second off a 2lb higher mark than today at Newbury last time. Both of those starts were over seven furlongs but there is no reason why the Alan Jarvis-trained colt should not stay the extra furlong and he gets the vote. Topweight Tafaahum is difficult to recommend on the evidence of his reappearance outing and of more interest may be Henry Cecil's Haydock maiden winner Invasian, who is open to improvement and does not appear to be too badly treated for his debut in this grade. He has more solid claims than Ayr winner West Highland Way, who was well beaten on his only previous start in this grade. The Barry Hills-trained Have Faith faces no easy task on her return to action, while Momtic appears to be in the grip of the handicapper at present. The same cannot be said of Distant Connection though and he looks the one to be on.
