Pocket Too led, ridden well over 1f out, headed 1f out, leaned on final furlong, rallied to gamely to lead again on post
Buster Hyvonen took keen hold, held up well in touch in rear, not clear run briefly just over 2f out, shaken up to lead 1f out, soon ridden and edged left, headed on post
Calculating tracked leaders on inner, went 2nd over 2f out, soon switched right and challenging, keeping on same pace when short of room inside final furlong, one pace after
Velvet Heights held up well in touch in rear, came wide 2f out, chasing leaders and ridden over 1f out, nudged along and kept on same pace final furlong
Salute chased leader until 3f out, soon ridden, weakened well over 1f out
Rollin ´n Tumblin in touch on outer, headway to chase leader 3f out until over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
Analyis of the race
A good quality staying race featuring a clutch of in-form performers, and it produced a slightly controversial finish as Buster Hyvonen and POCKET TOO settled down to fight out the finish.
It looked for much of the contest as if the strong travelling Buster Hyvonen would just pick off the front-running Pocket Too, who set just average fractions, but Jamie Spencer's mount leaned in to the winner, tightening him for room on the rail and not really picking up in the manner that looked likely.
The winner seemed to relish the battle and he pulled out more to register a third straight win on the all-weather, and this was achieved despite being upped in class and being raised 8lb for his Kempton win. He clearly had the run of the race, being allowed an easy lead, but he battled on well at the finish and he continues to improve.
Buster Hyvonen didn't pick up as expected but he once again travelled like the best horse in the race, and it may be that he's probably ideally suited by a touch shorter.
Velvet Heights came the scenic route around the home bend and that seemed to ruin his chance, his jockey certainly thought so as he appeared to give up the ghost approaching the furlong despite the horse not looking too far out of his ground. Despite that he stayed on well and he clearly goes well fresh.
Tote
Tote Win: 8.3
Tote place (1): 2.9
Tote place (2): 1.6
Exacta: 22.7
CSF: 19.2
Total SP: 110
Further Information
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