took keen hold early, held up, effort and hard ridden 2f out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway and ridden 2f out, soon outpaced
in touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden and kept on final furlong, never able to challenge
led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
held up in rear, shaken up 3f out, never nearer
dwelt, soon tracking leaders, shaken up 2f out, stayed on over 1f out, quickened to lead final 100 yards, readily
held up towards rear, kept on same pace final 2f
held up and behind, pushed along 3f out, no headway final 2f
tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and kept on over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner final 100 yards
pulled hard in rear, lost touch final 5f, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace and held when not much room final 100 yards
In this very competitive Classified Stakes, Blue Sky Thinking gets a tentative vote to make a winning reappearance, with Takes Tutu, Finished Article and Akshar the biggest dangers. Not too many of these runners can be ruled out with confidence, but Karl Burke's horses have been in great form this season, and the progressive Blue Sky Thinking is expected to lack nothing for fitness on his seasonal debut, so may just be good enough to land the spoils. A winner twice from just four starts so far, he finished last season by beating the useful Passing Glance in a similar race at Salisbury, and there is every reason to believe he can improve again this year. Akshar hails from another stable in great form, that of Sir Michael Stoute, and this Danehill colt followed his maiden win with an easy victory on his handicap debut at Haydock last season. He too has plenty of scope and rates an obvious danger. Takes Tutu was most progressive last year, and while he is more exposed than some of these, Mark Johnston's colt possesses a decent turn of foot and would have to come into the reckoning, while Finished Article can often find ways to get himself beaten, but generally runs well here and could certainly reach the frame at least.
