prominent, ridden and weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden to chase leaders 3f out, one pace final furlong
prominent to 4f out
led, ridden and weakened over 3f out
never better than finishing position
towards rear, ridden and headway 3f out, one pace
in touch, headway 6f out, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out and weakened
mid-division, headway 6f out, led over 2f out, all out when headed inside final furlong
mid-division, headway 5f out, stayed on to lead inside final furlong
held up towards rear. headway 4f out, chased leader 3f out, weakened final furlong
Factual Lad gets the vote, with Iftikhar, Efrhina and Broughton Knows just two dangers in the opener. It is interesting that Factual Lad is stepped back up to a mile and a half here, as he did not seem to last home when tried over the course and distance a fortnight ago. However, the way he stayed on into second behind Ribbons And Bows over nine furlongs last time suggests that he is worth another chance. Rod Millman's charge is also better handicapped than of late, so is given another chance to prove that he has some stamina. Iftikhar is also more kindly treated now and shaped well on his first visit to the track on Monday. That was only a banded race but he should be up to winning a small contest. Broughton Knows gave his amateur pilot all sorts of problems in the closing stages here last time, but with Ian Mongan taking over, and a drop back in trip, he should be involved. Turtle Patriarch will have the assistance of Kieren Fallon, but looks nothing special, and a bigger danger may be the consistent Efrhina who deserves to lose his maiden tag. A tricky contest can go the way of Factual Lad.
