Very keen in rear, ridden 2f out, eased when no chance final furlong
keen in touch, ridden 2f out weakened inside final furlong
prominent, tracked winner, ridden over 2f out, staying on when not much room on stand rails final furlong
made all, ridden 2f out, ran on well
held up in touch, hard ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace
held up behind, rider lost rein over 1f out, never dangerous
soon chasing winner, every chance 2f out, soon ridden final furlong
Hufflepuff hinted at a return to form last time, and is just taken to land the spoils here, in preference to Material Witness and Golden Bounty. John Dunlop's filly put up her best performance of the season when fifth in a competitive handicap at Doncaster last time, when she appeared outpaced two furlongs out, but then ran on strongly in the closing stages. She is well suited by the conditions of this race, and this extra furlong seems sure to suit, as she did win over this trip as a juvenile. Material Witness ran a blinder when just touched off at Epsom last time, and would certainly be a big danger in that sort of form, although his best form has come over seven furlongs and for that reason he is just passed over. Golden Bounty would certainly have claims on his second at Sandown a couple of starts ago behind Little Edward, but he is by no means the most reliable of performers. Of the rest, Suntagonal has yet to show anything this season, but was a smart horse in South Africa last year and could easily be capable of better. However, John Dunlop's string appears to have hit top gear in recent days and they can strike again here with Hufflepuff.
