tracked leaders, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, one pace and no impression final furlong
steadied start, held up well in rear, headway on inner from 2f out, soon one pace, no impression
led well over 1f out, stayed chasing winner but outpaced to inside final furlong, hung right under pressure and no impression
chased leaders, ridden halfway, one pace and no chance final 2f
took keen hold, soon tracked leader, led well over 1f out, quickened pace and in command over 1f out, ridden out
hampered and lost place after 1f, behind and no chance after
chased leaders, ridden and no look keen 2f out, soon beaten
took keen hold in touch, weakened and behind final 2f
took keen hold early, held up, smooth headway and eased out over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, no chance with winner but kept on for clear 2nd
close up, ridden halfway, soon beaten
slowly into stride, held up in rear, effort on outer and ridden 2f out, no impression
raced wide in touch, ridden halfway, outpaced 2f out, soon beaten
It's slide rule time here with many of these being better over the minimum trip than this six furlongs, and we will take a chance on Steenberg, who has no such worries, with The Tatling, Pivotal Point and Celtic Mill all possibles in a very tricky race to solve. Steenberg has been dropped 2lb for two recent Group 1 defeats, but has won in Listed company over this trip, and also performed well in a York Group 2 back in May. This is his optimum trip, although he wouldn't want the ground too fast, but with his yard continuing in form we will take a chance on him getting it right today. The Tatling has been the punters' friend for a long time now and he landed a Group 3 at Newbury over five furlongs last time. Though he has won over six, the minimum trip is much his best and he may just run out of gas here from this weight. Pivotal Point would have a fair bit to find with The Tatling if this were over five furlongs, but he gets this trip much more comfortably and we think he will finish in front of that rival here given his penchant for fast ground. Of the others, Celtic Mill makes some appeal in these conditions and is another who may have the better of The Tatling over this trip. Nevertheless he has a bit to find with the selection on official ratings and we will stick with Steenberg to make it a big race win for Mark Tompkins.
