towards rear, pushed along halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders, driven over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on
prominent, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
led, pushed along halfway, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
mid-division, effort when not much room and switched left over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish
never better than mid-division
chased leaders, ridden along halfway, edged right when weakening over 1f out
towards rear, never dangerous
prominent, ridden along over 2f out, one pace until weakened entering final furlong
chased leaders, ridden along halfway, driven and stayed on same pace final furlong
prominent for 3f
towards rear, never reached challenging position
in touch, driven over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
mid-division, effort halfway, no impression
prominent, ridden over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong
stumbled at start and towards rear, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, never near to challenge
dwelt, always rear division
slowly into stride, towards rear, some late headway but never reached challenging position
Pivotal's Princess is a far from confident choice in highly competitive sprint where not many of those in the top half of the draw can be ruled out. Which means the likes of Prince Namid and Royal Challenge will be highly inconvenienced and they are ones to simply watch for future reference. As such: Wyatt Earp, Grazeon Gold Blend and Desert Commander are put forward as alternatives for the shortlist today. The last named handles most types of ground and, as a lightly raced five-year-old, he has not been rushed into anything. However, he did win on his reappearance last year, so rates as one to keep on the right side for a race like this. Similar comments apply to Grazeon Gold Blend, who appeared to have strengthened up last term. He will be more like the finished article this summer and a bold bid cannot be ruled out. Wyatt Earp also goes well fresh and has acted at Beverley in the past. Still five furlongs may be on the sharp side these days and he needs to be at his very best. Therefore, we take a chance on Pivotal's Princess, who represents a yard that usually have their horses to fore at this stage of the season. Ed McMahon's filly comes here instead of a stiffer option at Newbury later in the week and it may be a case of the easy route being the more profitable one on this occasion.
Fullandby (IRE) 25-1 (9-1) Held up, ridden over 2f out, never near leaders, 7th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Bygone Days (9-1) at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Pivotal's Princess (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged left, headed inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Fantasy Believer (8-12) at Newmarket 5f lst stk (1) gd in Sept.
Desert Commander (IRE) 66-1 (9-1) Mid-division standside group, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 17th of 23, 10l behind Fonthill Road (9-2) at Ayr 6f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
Cape Royal 20-1 (9-1) Led after 2f, ridden and headed entering 2f out, soon outpaced, 6th of 8, 5l behind Fire Up The Band (9-1) at Nottingham 5f stk (4) gf.
Wyatt Earp (IRE) 10-1 (8-4) In touch, one pace final furlong, no impression, 9th of 18, 6l behind Rising Shadow (8-7) at York 6f hcap (2) sft in Oct.
Grazeon Gold Blend 4-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, ridden to chase winner 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Diane's Choice (8-9) at Leicester 5f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Royal Challenge 11-4fav (9-9) Held up, effort 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong to lead post, won at York 5f hcp 0-90 (3) gf in Jul beating Kings College Boy (9-1) by a shd, 7 ran.
Dig Deep (IRE) 5-2fav (8-11) Bumped start, held up, headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 12, nk behind Harry Up (9-1) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
