never better than mid-division
reared start, soon close up, effort to press winner just over 2f out, not quick in final furlong
chased leaders, weakened well over 1f out
slowly into stride and behind, kept on under pressure final 2f
in touch, effort on outside, run on under pressure to go well inside final furlong, not reach winner
tracked leader, led over 4f out, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong
rear at start always well in rear, tailed off
held up in touch, kept on under pressure from over 1f out, never reached leaders
mid-division, kept on under pressure final furlong
led to over 4f out, pressed winner to just over 2f out and weakened (lost near four shoe)
close up, ridden over 3f out, stayed on same pace
soon chased leaders, to over 3f out, soon lost place
never better than mid-division
held up in rear, never nearer
pulled hard, prominent, weakened in behind from halfway
With several of these open to improvement, this looks a nightmare for punters. Top weight Toro Brave, Michael Blanchard's The Local, Trouble At Bay, who represents Alan King and Exit To Heaven, whose defeat by Tropical Coral here last month was made to look much better when that filly followed up at Leicester over the weekend and with that in mind, she gets the vote to lose her maiden tag. She comes from the same family as the Irish Oaks winner Wemyss Bright and will be well suited by this step up in trip. She may have most to fear from Trouble At Bay, who proved well suited by this 10-furlongs when chasing home Ski Jump at Leicester earlier this month, with subsequent winner Rifleman behind. The fourth that day Majhud, was only just touched off at the same midlands venue on Saturday, so Trouble At Bay's form looks rock solid. The Local was bang there on his reappearance at Windsor, until lack of condition took its toll. He can be expected to strip fitter here, while handicap debutante Toro Brave, the winner of a maiden on the All-Weather, doesn't look too badly treated, despite having to give weight away all round, and if anywhere near straight after his lay off, must go well.
