chased leaders, ridden 2f out, faded inside final furlong
always behind
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f
prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
behind, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
always prominent, ridden over 1f out, soon led, ran on well and edged left inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 2f out, stayed on approaching final furlong, never dangerous
behind, ridden well over 2f out, stayed on approaching final furlong went 2nd inside final furlong
led early, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, one pace
held lup towards rear, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear, ridden 3f out, stayed on final 2f
On the face of it this can be decided between Somnus and Airwave, if the latter is fully wound up, and we will plump for Airwave with Arakan, Just James and Fayr Jag others to consider. The selection was brilliant in the first half of last season and one of the most exciting sights of the 2003 campaign over five and six furlongs. Although her form tailed off towards the end, Henry Candy is happy enough with her for her first run, and in receipt of weight from all her main rivals she can take advantage. Somnus carries a Group 1 penalty for beating Airwave at Haydock in September and has tended to need his first run. He will relish the cut and can go very well but may find it beyond him at these weights. Arakan won nicely first time out and there could still be a bit more to come from him. However, he is 9lb wrong with Airwave on official ratings and will need to produce a lifetime best at a level at which he has yet to win, so he will probably come up short. Just James was second in this last year, and crowned a good season with a Group 2 Newmarket win in October. However, he is perhaps best over seven furlongs and is overlooked on that basis, though the ground may help his cause. Of the remainder, Fayr Jag has performed well in this class and on quicker ground would be considered much more favourably. As it is, he can still go well enough, while Trade Fair would surely be much better over further, but at these weights Airwave looks to have a marvellous chance if she is ready to do herself justice and she is our choice.
