held up towards rear, ridden 6f out, stayed on from over 3f out
held up in touch, raced wide, weakened over 3f out
chased leaders from halfway, kept on final 2f
always towards rear
chased clear leader, weakened over 3f out
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, soon eased
led, soon clear, headed 4f out, soon weakened
held up, headway over 5f out, one pace final 2f
held up, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
held up and keen, headway halfway, stayed on final 3f
prominent, ridden to lead 4f out, kept on well
chased leaders, lost place 6f out, tailed off
held up, hampered on bend after 6f, weakened over 6f out, tailed off
held up in touch, weakened over 4f out
As we always say in these events keep an eye on the betting market, but without that knowledge we will plump for Balamory Dan, with Aztec Warrior and Gunship just two of the newcomers who could pose problems. It is hard to win these races under a penalty but the selection was so impressive when beating Dalawan at Perth last month. He came home eased down by seven lengths and could be something special. Aztec Warrior is trained by Henrietta Knight who does well in this sphere. This son of Taipan will no his job and should give a good account of himself. The Phillip Hobbs trained Gunship is bred to be a decent performer being by Needle Gun and if supported in the market take note. Mark Brisbourne has had a cracking season on the flat and he runs both Royal Attraction and The Knockinocker, it would be no surprise to see one or both of these perform with credit. This looks a decent enough contest and unless there are big clues from the betting, Balamory Dan looks the one to be on.
Balamory Dan (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, headway 6f out, led 3f out, clear from 2f out, ran on well, won at Perth 2m nhf (H) gs in Sept beating Dalawan (10-9) by 7l, 15 ran.
Dreams Jewel 16-1 (11-6) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up in race won by It's My Party (10-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (H) gd in May, 10 ran.
Aztec Warrior (IRE) Taipan gelding out of an unraced mare.
Constantius 14-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden and every chance over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 17, 11l behind Jeremy Cuddle Duck (10-10) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (H) gs in Aug.
Finsbury Fred (IRE) Clerkenwell gelding, half-brother to bumper winner Onwardsandupwards.
Gunship (IRE) Needle Gun gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Nile Moon (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 4f out, soon ridden, weakened 1f out, 13th of 21, 23l behind Hi Humpfree (11-1) at Newbury 2m nhf (H) gd in Apr.
Persian Prince (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Behind, headway to chase leaders halfway, rider briefly lost iron on bend over 3f out, one pace after, 3rd of 15, 14l behind Balamory Dan (10-11) at Perth 2m nhf (H) gs in Sept.
Rothbury Overbury gelding out of a mare who showed nothing in a bumper and a hurdle.
Royal Attraction Mon Tresor gelding out of an unraced mare.
Sobers (IRE) Epervier Bleu gelding, half-brother to several winning jumpers.
Spartacus Bay (IRE) Simply Great gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Michael Finnegan.
The Knockinocker My Generation gelding out of a moderate racemare.
Young Rocky (IRE) Rock Hopper gelding out of a maiden racemare.
Dream On Maggie Dreams End mare out of a lightly-raced mare.
