soon ridden along in rear
outpaced in rear, never in contention
held up mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, ridden to go 3rd close home
held up rear, headway 2f out, ran on inside final furlong to be nearest at finish
held up, ridden and one pace over 1f out
keen tracking leaders, ridden to lead well over 1f out, soon clear
always towards rear
held up in touch, ridden and headway 3f out, ran on to go 2nd inside final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 3f out, finished well behind
prominent until ridden and weakened quickly approaching final furlong
Mandarin Spirit gets the call here ahead of Cape St Vincent, Merdiff and Roman Quintet. Dropped in grade to the all-weather last time, Mandarin Spirit absolutely bolted up over course and distance 14 days ago and, if the same sort of form, has to be given a strong chance today. Blue Empire and Fiveoclockexpress, who is back to a winning mark, look held on that form with the selection. Cape St Vincent's all-weather record is good and the step up to seven on this surface could bring about further improvement, plus the fact that Kieren Fallon is an interesting jockey booking. That said, the jockey also held the booking for Merdiff at the 48-hour stage. Make of that what you will but, whichever one he rides warrants consideration. Dvinsky has become disappointing since looking promising as a juvenile with Gerard Butler, although he is with an interesting trainer now in Tony Carroll. Roman Quintet has been raised four pounds for a Lingfield win and, generally consistent, could nab some money again, while Aswan is up three pounds for a course win over a longer trip last time, a point that makes us look elsewhere for the possible winner, which on this occasion is Mandarin Spirit
