mid-division, driven after 3 out, stayed on one pace
held up rear, steady headway from 3 out, ridden to lead approaching last, ridden out
in touch, not fluent 2nd, disputed lead 4 out, led approaching next, ridden and headed narrowly when mistake 2 out, faded
held up in touch, mistake 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, faded
held up in touch, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened soon after
held up tracking leaders, going well to lead approaching 2 out, ridden and headed soon after, one pace and caught for 2nd flat
mid-division, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, soon held
held up rear, headway on outside after 3 out, ridden and slight chance approaching 2 out, ran on to take 2nd flat
mid-division, ridden and weakening when mistake 2 out
led and keen, headed 2nd, stayed prominent until ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
led 2nd and soon clear, headed approaching 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
A tough race gets proceedings under way with not much public form to go on, but the principals look to be Lucifer Bleu, Blue Americo, and Maidstone Mistral, with the latter getting the vote. The gelding from the Martin Pipe yard was a fair third behind Mioche d'Estruval last time and off what looks a fair mark for this, his handicap debut, he will be hard to beat with conditions to suit. His stable companion Lucifer Bleu is also worthy of respect as he won well a couple of runs ago but gave the impression that he would be suited by further when fifth behind Victory Gunner last time, and for that reason is opposed. Blue Americo is another that could go well as he was a fair fifth behind Corporate Player last time and is another that will relish the conditions. Of the remainder, Golden Reward is from a yard in form and is worth noting in the market, but for the winner we return to Maidstone Mistral.
