held up towards rear, headway 2f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, kept on well
chased leaders, ridden when hampered over 2f out, no impression after
in touch, ridden 2f out, no impression final furlong
led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace
in touch, driven and headway 3f out, weakened final furlong
held up and keen, headway over 4f out, outpaced 2f out, stayed on again inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway well over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on strongly inside final furlong
slowly into stride, behind, headway 3f out, soon ridden, one pace after
chased leaders until weakened well over 1f out
in touch, ridden and every chance 1f out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, switched left over 2f out, soon led, ridden over 1f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong
Lightly raced and open to improvement, Desert Opal can score for the in-form John Gosden. A two-year-old winner at six furlongs, this speedily-bred colt showed that he stayed a mile when beaten a useful type at Sandown last time. Topweight might not stop him because he still looks to be on a reasonable mark Others to consider are the consistent Looking Down, the Britannia Stakes fifth Mark Of Zorro, plus Satelcom, Just A Martian, Big Smoke, Donegal Dancer and Parnassian. It's a competitive race on a competitive Newbury card but Desert Opal gets the nomination.
