slowly into stride, mid-division, effort 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on to lead inside final furlong, ridden out
mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, ridden 3f out, every chance 2f out, one pace final furlong
in touch, ridden well over 2f out, soon weakened
behind, soon pushed along, never dangerous
slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong
dwelt, soon tracking leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
slow away, mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, soon hung left, weakened over 1f out
led, ridden over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, not quickened
Another race where note books should open quicker than wallets as this looks sure to produce handicap winners for the future. However, West Country sets a fair standard and is taken to do his bit for the Mark Johnston team in their quest for a ¿2million haul in prize-money from this season. The Gone West colt will face some stiff competition from the likes of Catalini and Lochbuie - although newcomers Three Ships, Pukka and Zeitgiest all hail from much respected stables and have to be monitored in the betting. In contrast, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Strider already has improvement to find after running down the field in a Newmarket maiden on his debut and is best watched here. Mutassem is another who should be viewed with an eye to future engagements as he has reportedly endured a couple of niggling training problems since arriving at Ed Dunlop's yard from Dubai and, is expected to develop into a useful three-year-old next term. The same could be said of West Country, but considering his trainer's impeccable record with his juveniles this season, the Sheik Mohammed-owned bay is selected in the hope that he can build on the promise he has shown so far.
