chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
prominent, chased leader 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, driven out
behind, pushed along halfway, kept on final furlong, never able to challenge
reluctant to load stalls, dwelt, soon chased leaders, led over 2f out, headed and not quickened inside final furlong
led after 1f, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led 1f, chased leader to 2 out, weakened quickly
restless in stalls, in touch on outer, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, headway to chase leaders on far rail when clear run approaching final furlong soon switched left and ran on well towards finish
in touch until ridden and weakened 2f out
behind, pushed along half way, kept on final furlong but no danger
outpaced and always behind
Another open race on the card and one in which we will opt for Joy And Pain over Mister Completely, Velvet Touch and Instinct. Running through the field. Phluke is lightly raced but probably has a bit to prove overall. Ask The Clerk certainly has a chance based on his Irish Turf form, while Best Desert improved to finish runner-up on his final start last season but we will have to wait and see whether the handicapper has overreacted to that effort now. Goblin was disappointing last season after running pretty well early doors, but Mister Completely, a stablemate of Best Desert, comes here fit from the all-weather, where he showed improved form, and, with Martin Dwyer booked, do not be surprised to see a good run. Livia actually holds the form edge over Mister Completely based on their six-furlong Lingfield runs last time, and Joy And Pain is slightly worse off at the weights with the pair of them for that same run, which needs to be borne in mind, as does the fact that horses can suddenly start improving at different rates from their two- to three-year-old racing careers. That said, the drop in trip might yet suit Joy And Pain better than the other pair mentioned. Velvet Touch is lightly raced and is another that looks to be improving and, with Frankie Dettori booked, might prove popular with punters. Finally, Instinct is very nicely bred but will have to step up on what he has so far shown, which he could do if he has learned to settle. All things considered, though, we will side with Joy And Pain.
