The leader Dragon Dance won this race, setting a relatively slow tempo which was key to his success. Sports Master (11.34) clocked the fourth-best final-200m of the meeting and should be able to win a race at either track over 1200m in the short term. He can make the Sweet In Defeat (SID) file as the Happy Valley 1000m is just on the sharp side for him.

The first section was quick here and the race set up for a closer. From that perspective, Thou Shall Sing was brave in defeat after working early and only being collared late on. He makes the SID file, while Jolly Bountiful will be competitive when he next appears as he went in to this event first up and will improve.

Equally the best rating race of the night following a solid lead speed. Having said that, seven of the 12 runners were within two lengths of each other in the finish and if most of these meet again it will be a case of who gets the best run. Bellagio will win one soon, but is proving costly in the meantime and he did pull up with an issue the next day.

The worst rating race of the meeting off the back of a very soft tempo. (Note: Have Fun Together: ‘blood in trachea’) Waldorf settled three-wide without cover and ran quite well, with E-Master powering home in the third-best final-200m (11.21) of the meeting. He is racing so well at the moment and can win again.

A fast tempo overall and a well-sustained run from Little Bird, who was far too good. The win rated very well and he will take some beating again, although he was issued with a 13-point penalty for the win. Sir Redalot was good closing from back in the field and he makes the SID file. 

A ridiculous first section was set in this race, almost six lengths faster than standard. It’s no wonder the first two in the run couldn’t finish their race off, and according to the Stewards report, Teetan commented the horse did not “back up” – this seems pure nonsense. It was a terrible ride when he had the option of trailing the speed. Stick with Planet Star, he was huge again.

It took a good ride to beat Blitzing, who didn’t have much peace in trying to get the lead. Blitzing ran to the same mark he has for his last two races, not including the weight concession. So effectively, this one was “a bit flat” after his last win. He will be hard to beat next time. there was not much else to note. The winner Good Beauty was an earlier SID entry.

This race was run at a slow tempo and produced a very low rating overall for this grade. Super Hoppy (a bet for HH) was most disappointing. I couldn’t find an excuse, he just didn’t turn up. Alma Baby and Magic Legend were okay, but the bottom line is, this race didn’t rate as well as Little Bird (Class 3 winner), which is a concern.