started slowly, held up in rear, steady headway 4f out, led well over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ridden out
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, behind when leather broke and unseated rider inside final furlong
prominent, ridden and every chance over 2f out, one pace final furlong
prominent, lost place over 6f out, ridden 4f out, one pace final 2f
chased leader after 1f, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up, headway 5f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway 6f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
mid-division, hampered and lost place over 6f out, no danger after
dwelt, well behind, ridden over 3f out, headway over 1f out, ran on, nearest finish
This should not take too much winning and principally concerns Feast of Romance and Cloud Dancer, with the latter getting the vote. The drop back to claiming company suited Cloud Dancer as she got back to winning ways for the first time in a year at Southwell in December, and since then she has performed quite well. Her style of come-from-behind running sometimes leaves her with a bit to do, and that has been the case recently, so it is to be hoped that her amateur rider does not leave it too late to deliver her challenge as she bids to go one better than her very close second to Nimello at Southwell a fortnight ago. Her main rival Feast of Romance does not like the kickback in his face so it is to his credit that he came from behind to score at Southwell six days ago. His last four victories have all been in selling company however, and he will have to be at his best to stop Cloud Dancer. Paso Doble won a similar race to this last May and although unsuccessful since, showed signs of a return to form on his latest start and is worth considering for a place, while Port Natal nearly made the trip over from Ireland worthwhile here in January when just beaten by Attorney in moderate company, and will be running on at the finish no doubt. In a race that should not take too much winning, Cloud Dancer is the selection.