dwelt, towards rear, headway 4f out, went 2nd over 3f out, soon ridden, hung left over 1f out, not quicken
chased leaders until weakened over 3f out, tailed off
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up in touch, driven along over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, kept on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
led, headed over 4f out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leader, led on bit over 4f out, ridden clear final furlong, easily
The unbeaten Into The Dark faces his stiffest test to date and may meet his match in Percussionist, who stands out on all known form to date. With Bonecrusher nominated as the best of the rest. However, the David Loder-trained five-year-old looks up against it with two such high-class individuals in the line up and he looks set for another frustrating afternoon. In hindsight, the decision to swerve the St Leger with Into The Dark was the right choice to make and the son of Rainbow Quest at least looks up to making his mark at this level. However, he has never come across an individual with the standing of the selection and he may have to wait for another day. Percussionist, who comes here instead of running at Newbury yesterday, is officially the best in at the weights and will take some stopping as he bids to get his career back on track. The ease in the ground should see him in a better light than for his start in the Irish Derby and, with there being no doubts about him getting the trip, he is going to take all the beating today.
