close up, led 2nd, clear approaching 3 out, canter
held up in rear, ridden after 4f out, soon weakened
led to 2nd, remained prominent, ridden and weakened after 4f out, pulled up before last
behind, pushed along approaching 5th, pulled up before next
prominent, reminders halfway, weakened from 4 out
held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, no impression from next
held up mid-division, hit 6th, soon ridden, never dangerous
mistakes in mid-division, chased winner after 4 out, no impression
chased leaders, pushed along and reminders halfway, behind from 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
behind, tailed off from halfway, pulled up before 5th
A pretty ordinary opener here which has an open look to it due to the lack of form on the board. Bengal Boy is forecast as favourite, but he looks exposed and also lacks a recent run. Trainer Peter Beaumont usually likes them to have one or two races to get them cherry ripe and so it is unlikely that he will be ready first time. Of the two top weights, Len Lungo-trained The Rile would appear less exposed, though he would still have to produce a career best to win this despite a drop in the weights. Therefore, the tentative TEAMtalk vote here goes to Aston Mara, who is potentially very well treated here on some of his form from last year in particular, and if he goes in the ground then he appears to have been given the chance to register his first win since June of 2001. Of the remainder, the veteran Hoh Invader is also potentially dangerous off this mark, while Squandamania is another to consider.
