Expert Analysis

A contest that looked like a relatively straightforward task for SALLAAL beforehand turned out to be just that. The 1-2 favourite made no mistake and in truth always looked like the winner, even if Ray Dawson did have to get serious on him a furlong out. He quickly assumed control though and was going away at the line to win by a length and three quarters. The lack of pace probably prevented him from producing a more impressive performance in fairness to him.

SALLAAL didn’t have to improve to take this and probably didn’t achieve as much in terms of performance level here as when beating Persica last time out. He did continue his progress in terms of race class though, with this Group 3 success following listed and handicap wins. A slowly-run contest probably didn’t suit him, but he found enough acceleration to pick up long-time leader Sea Scout a furlong out.

SEA SCOUT made the early running before being joined by Convergent around half a mile out, which added some much-needed pace to the race. Sallaal proved to be a very different challenge for him inside the final two furlongs though. He was headed just outside the furlong pole and the gap widened to a length and three quarters between there and the line. A fair return on his first run since October.

NAHRAAN was disappointing and never really got involved. A little keen at the rear early, he was unable to get to the eventual first and second at any point. His last two starts suggest that his improvement has come to an end, and he may even be going the other way.

CONVERGENT does not look like the same horse that won on his seasonal return at Newbury. The Epsom run clearly had an impact on him and he went out with a whimper again here after making a brief challenge half a mile out.