led, pushed along and headed over 2f out, soon short of room and hit rail, weakened over 1f out
in rear, pushed along over 2f out, not trouble leaders
in rear, ridden and headway entering final furlong, stayed on towards finish
raced wide close up, pushed along 4f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed entering final furlong, one pace and lost two places towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, ran on
close up, ridden and headway entering final furlong, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
raced wide tracked leader after 2f, pushed along to lead over 2f out, soon headed, weakened final furlong
Rainbow Dreamer has leading claims at the weights and arrives on the back of a victory at Kempton. But he finished behind Island Brave and Australis when only third in a qualifier at Newcastle back in December and the latter has subsequently scored at Wolverhampton. Amtiyaz continues to improve but has a tough task on these terms and needs to reverse earlier running at Kempton with Lucky Deal. The latter went on to finish last of three behind Rock Eagle and the winner RANCH HAND (NAP) at Chelmsford last month and Andrew Balding’s charge will be sharper for that outing. He can come out best once again given he landed a tougher contest than this at Newmarket last term.
Australis (IRE) 8-15fav (9-8) Slowly into stride, soon held up in touch, improved to challenge 9f out, led over 2f out, stayed on, ridden out, won at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (3) pol in Jan beating Nate The Great (9-5) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Island Brave (IRE) 7-2cfav (9-8) Prominent, ridden along 3f out, disputed lead 2f out, every chance final furlong, no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 8, 5 1/4l behind Carnwennan (9-3) at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) pol in Mar.
Lucky Deal 5-2 (9-5) Tracked leaders, never really traveling, ridden over 1f out, no impression, last of 3, 1 3/4l behind Ranch Hand (9-8) at Chelmsford City 2m stks (2) pol in Mar.
Rainbow Dreamer 13-8jfav (9-5) Led and set steady pace, quickened tempo over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m stks (2) pol in Feb beating Ocean Wind (9-5) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Ranch Hand 4-1 (9-8) Made all at steady pace, ridden over 1f out, stayed on, won at Chelmsford City 2m stks (2) pol in Mar beating Rock Eagle (9-5) by nk, 3 ran.
Rock Eagle 8-11fav (9-5) Tracked winner, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 3, nk behind Ranch Hand (9-8) at Chelmsford City 2m stks (2) pol in Mar.
Amtiyaz 5-4fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, led over 1f out, edged left, clear inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Kempton 2m hcp (3) pol in Jan beating Vibrance (9-4) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
