towards rear, stayed on
tracked leaders, hampered over 3f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, ran on
towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression
mid-division, ridden 4f out, headway 2f out, soon one pace
held up mid-division, headway on inside 3f out, effort and not clear run over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, ran on to lead close home
led, ridden and weakening when headed inside final furlong
held up, headway when edging left over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
bumped start, never a factor
prominent until weakened 3f out, tailed off
Kumakawa is the pick over Zahunda, with Silver Island and Pagan Storm expected to make their presence felt. Kumakawa is going the right way and should make a bold bid to go one better than when second at Southwell last time when beaten a neck by Air Of Esteem. He was sent off favourite that day on the strength of an encouraging run there the time before when facing a stiff task at the weights. This is his level and he has been found a suitable opportunity to gain his first win since January 2003. Silver Island seemed to appreciate a change of tactics when second here a fortnight ago, and he is much better off with the third Zahunda who made a bold bid to try and make all on his return to this surface a fortnight ago, but was passed inside the final furlong, eventually hanging on for third. That was his first outing since October and he should be suited by the step up in trip, so there probably will not be too much between the pair really. Pagan Storm hung left in the closing stages at Lingfield last time which did not help his cause, while Tinian has a good draw but is fully exposed as moderate. Kumakawa is the selection.
