behind, headway and switched right over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, finished well
held up in rear, effort on wide outside and hung left over 1f out, no impression
slowly into stride, held up, effort on wide outside and stayed on inside final furlong, never dangerous
always behind
held up in mid-division, smooth headway on inner 2f out, chased leading over 1f out, stayed on final furlong to lead near finish
soon led, shaken up 2f out, headed and not quickened inside final furlong, faded near finish
chased leaders, effort on inner 2f out, weeakened final furlong
prominent on outer, ridden 2f out, weakening when hampered over 1f out
chased leaders, weakening and losing place when not much room inside final furlong
took keen hold, soon pressed neither 2 2f out, weakened quickly
chased leders, went 2nd just inside final 2f, led inside final furlong, not quickened, and headed near finish
held up in rear, headway 2f out, kept on final furlong
held up in rear, hard ridden and no impression leaders over 1f out
Ofaraby looks the part here in a competitive heat, and can prevail at the expense of Cruise Director, Alrafid and Retirement. All of these apprentices are becoming household names and none of the 14 runners will lack for prowess in the saddle, that is for sure. We like the look of Ofaraby, a course and distance winner in maiden company in June. Michael Jarvis's gelding has quickly made his mark since coming back from a break, scoring at Wolverhampton in easy fashion last time. That suggests that there is plenty more in the locker, and off a fair mark, he is taken to follow up under Dominic Fox. Alrafid would be more of a threat if not having to shoulder topweight, but can still make his presence felt, and Retirement looks to have been primed for an all-weather assault by Mark Tompkins. However, the biggest danger to Ofaraby may be Cruise Director, providing he is fit enough after a six-month absence. He won well under Kieren Fallon at Windsor though and obviously has enough ability to take a hand today. However, with doubts about him being one-hundred percent, the vote goes to Ofaraby.
