led for 3f, pressed leader until weakened from 3f out
pulled hard, always in rear
in touch, pushed along 3f out, weakened inside final 2f
pulled hard and held up in rear, headway on inside rail over 2f out, soon chased winner, strong challenge inside final furlong, just held
tracked leaders until weakened quickly entering final 2f
settled behind leaders, led over 3f out, strongly pressed final 2f, just held on, all out
dwelt, held up in mid-division, not much room over 2f out, kept on same pace final 2f
in touch, challenged 2f out, still every chance over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
dwelt, held up until pulled way into lead after 3f, headed over 3f out, weakened rapidly, eased when no chance
behind, ridden 4f out, never dangerous after
in touch, effort on outside over 2f out, soon driven and beaten
There are plenty in with chances in this, but Compton Aviator might just supply the answer. Let's kick off with a few facts. The only course and distance winners in the race are Shortchange, Absinther and Anyhow. Add to the list the other course winners Billy Bathwick and Spring Pursuit. The other horses to have won over the distance of today's race are Sudden Flight, Compton Aviator and Kentucky Bullet. Sudden Flight has won from a much-higher mark, but that was three years ago and over two furlongs further. Billy Bathwick is only two pounds higher in the ratings than for his most-recent victory, which came in June. Absinther is closely-weighted with Compton Aviator and Billy Bathwick based on their Windsor runs two weeks ago. Anyhow won here in June but is now six pounds higher, while Cold Turkey's win came in a Leicester claimer. Comtesse Noir cost $150,000 as a yearling but is now winless in 24 starts, although she has been placed in nearly half of her races. Spring Pursuit made eyecatching late headway on her return to the Flat this season, and is thrown in on her form of three seasons ago. Zero Gravity is very well weighted with Short Change and Absinther based on a race they ran in here 12 months ago. Zero Gravity has had his problems, comes here unraced this season, but clearly has the ability to run well fresh. He's another that adds spice to the contest. Kentucky Bullet's recent wins have all come on the all-weather but has put up some good efforts on Turf. Given that Compton Aviator was running on when behind Absinther, we think he might be able to turn the tables today. It could well be close, though, and a number of others are likely to fancy their chances too.
