Mark Johnston says Dutch Decoy is in good form at home, and he is looking forward to making a start with him. Mark says this is Dutch Decoy's first attempt at seven furlongs, a distance Mark thinks he will stay, based on his form last season. Mark says he will learn more about Dutch Decoy after this race, but he hopes he can run well in an open-looking contest.
Our view: Rodin is one of the current favourites, based on his recent win at Lingfield, in his first race over 7f. He is up 6lbs so must improve, but he does appear to be going the right way. The Blue Bower has won both her starts for Jonathan Portman, over both 7f and 6f. She is up 11lbs in total for those two victories, but is a filly in form. Nehaall won a 7f fillies' novice race in January, but was well beaten at Newmarket last month; it's probably too soon to write her off. Shoot The Moon ran well over 6f at Kempton last month, and was keeping on over the same trip at Windsor more recently.
Angelic Time won over 7f at Wolverhampton last November, but was well beaten in a better contest at Yarmouth last month. Philipa Victoria has run well in both her starts, but is not obviously well-handicapped. The same could be said about Glorious Zoff. Epic Endeavour was beaten a head on debut at Lingfield, but was well held at Newmarket recently. Qasbaz has run well in three starts last season, has been gelded, and is up in trip. Cheat has no form since winning a handicap over this course and distance last season.
Dutch Decoy needed every yard of the 6f when winning at Hamilton (a stiff course on good to soft ground) last August, and ran well in a good race at Ayr (flat track) the following month. This step up in trip should suit, and we hope he can run well. His wide draw (9) could be a hindrance, but we hope he is good enough to show promise for the season ahead. We recommend a value price to be 5/1.