slowly into stride, towards rear, progress into mid-division 6f out, ridden 3f out, stayed on to go 4th inside final furlong
held up behind, switched left and good headway from well over 1f out, stayed on strongly to lead final 30 yards
mid-division until weakened over 2f out
towards rear, switched left 2f out, stayed on, never dangerous
led for over 1f, tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakening when not much room inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, went prominent 5f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
always towards rear
pulled hard, led after 1f, ridden over 2f out, no extra when caught final 30 yards
mid-division, ridden and headway to chase leader over 1f out, kept on
mid-division until weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden over 2f out, close up when hampered on rails just inside final furlong, not recover
Portal has been working well at home and may make a winning return at the expense of Oh Glory Be, Mystic Storm and Steppe Dancer. Although as stated on an earlier occasion that runners from the Fanshawe yard improve for the run, the vibes emanating from Pegasus Stables indicates that Portal is ready to step up a gear this term after landing her maiden at Folkestone last September. A daughter of Hernando, she is a half-sister to multiple winner Palatial and should have inherited enough stamina on the dam's side to make a fist of things over a mile this season. Oh Glory Be improved out of all recognition when returning to action at Salisbury and there could be more to come, while Mystic Storm is already going the right way and will attract support with the local contingent, being trained nearby by Lady Herries. Steppe Dancer has topweight to overcome, which might be a tall order here, while Amwaal is best watched on his return. All in all, we are prepared to take a chance on Portal being ready to do herself justice.
Steppe Dancer (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (9-3) Held up, ran green and headway over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 75 yards, won going away, won at Kempton 1m 3yo mdn (4) pol in May beating Armada (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Portal 16-1 (8-9) In touch on far side, ridden and headway 2f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Folkestone 7f 2yo mdn aut (6) gf in Sept beating Dash To The Front (8-9) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Oh Glory Be (USA) 14-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, towards rear, good headway and hung left 3f out, ran on well from 2f out, led over 1f out, easily, won at Salisbury 1m 2f mdn stk (4) gs in May beating Garafena (8-9) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Zilcash 20-1 (8-10) Held up, weakened well over 2f out, 10th of 12, 30l behind Reem Three (8-11) at York 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gs in May.
Star of The Desert (IRE) 7-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened, eased, 6th of 7, 22l behind Salesin (9-3) at Bath 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (6) sft in May.
Kahlua Kiss 14-1 (9-2) In rear, ridden halfway, never nearer, 6th of 10, 6l behind Tamagin (8-10) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol in May.
Mystic Storm 9-4fav (8-13) In touch, smooth headway to lead over 2f out, clear over 1f out, unextended, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol in May beating Nikki Bea (8-10) by 4l, 12 ran.
Nikki Bea (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, stumbled 4f out, chased winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Mystic Storm (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (6) pol in May.
