mid-division, hampered after 2f, weakened over 4f out
prominent, effort 3f out, one-paced final furlong
slowly away, hampered after 2f, always behind, tailed off
driven to press leader after 1f, effort and under pressure to lead over 2f out, stayed on well towards finish
chased leaders until weakened over 2f out
held up, ridden and weakened 2f out
settled in mid-division, ridden and weakened from 3f out
always chasing leaders, one-paced from 3f out
held up in rear, good headway from 3f out, challenged 1f out, no extra towards finish
mid-division, stayed on inside final furlong
keen hold in mid-division, never a factor
in rear, effort 3f out, one-paced inside final 2f
prominent, weakened quickly from 2f out
prominent, ridden well over 2f out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden and effort 2f out, soon weakened
always in rear, tailed off
Celtic Mission (USA) can make the journey down from Middleham worthwhile in what appears to be a tricky race. A winner at Musselburgh on soft ground in November, he did not appear to enjoy himself on the all-weather but returned to form back on turf when going down narrowly to Lady Bear at Ripon, and he should be suited by this step up to ten furlongs. Montana Miss won a couple of moderate races last year but should be good enough to go close here if she is fit on her reappearance, while Midnight Arrow won a good maiden at Newmarket on her juvenile debut but failed to show much in her subsequent races. However, she steps up in trip today and it would be no surprise to find she is best when fresh and the booking of Kieren Fallon is a positive sign. In Spirit and Bond Millennium both have winning form on the all-weather but cannot be guaranteed to be as effective back on turf, and a bigger chance is given to Taraniki, who ran a blinder on his turf debut at the Craven Meeting and must go close if reproducing that form here. Aravonian showed enough promise in three runs last year to suggest he could be a threat on his handicap debut.
