in touch, ridden 4f out, soon beaten
raced keenly, tracked leader, led 3f out, hard driven 2f out, headed just inside final furlong, no extra
always rear, pushed along and struggling from halfway
took keen hold, held up, pushed along and in mid-division halfway, ridden and no chance final 2f
mid-division, lost place 4f out, soon behind
close up, headway to chase leader 2f out, driven to lead just inside final furlong, stay on well
in touch until weakened over 3f out
held up in rear, driven along and kept on final 2f but going pace to reach leaders
held up towards rear, brief effort toward inside 3f, soon beaten
soon led, headed 3f out, weakened over 2f out
in touch, driven to chase leading pair from 2f out, stayed on but no impression final furlong
slowly away and always behind
slowly away, behind, some headway final furlong but never near leaders
Withdrawn
Despite the numbers, this is a very weak race, and Baker Of Oz gets a tentative vote to see off the likes of Tafaahum, Rowan Pursuit and Oneupmanship. Baker Of Oz won a Classified Stakes around this time last year when trained by Richard Hannon, and that form would certainly be too good for most of these. He hasn¿t shown a great deal over hurdles for his new stable, including in selling grade, and while we wouldn¿t want to go overboard about his chances, the booking or Ryan Moore, who rode him to victory at Windsor, is encouraging and he gets a tentative vote. Tafaahum would slaughter these on his old two-year-old form for Mark Johnston but was woeful last season and it is anybody¿s guess how he will fare for new connections. Rowan Pursuit has been running reasonably well in this sort of grade on the sand at Lingfield this winter and could easily be a factor back on turf, a remark which also applies to Oneupmanship, who has changed stables three times since the turn of the year. We stress that this is not a race to get too heavily involved in, but we¿ll take a chance on Ryan Moore being able to revitalize Baker Of Oz.
Confuzed 16-1 Held up in rear, one pace when not much room over 1f out, never nearer, 4th of 13, 6l behind Barton Sands at Lingfield 1m 2f sll pol.
Eight Ellington (IRE) 16-1 In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 9th of 13, 12l behind Dial Square at Lingfield 1m 2f stk (H5) pol in Feb.
Baker of Oz 7-1 Always behind, 9th of 13, 15l behind Morse at Warwick 7f 3yo clm (E3) gs in Sept.
El Giza (USA) 7-1 Chased leaders, ridden when bumped over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 6l behind Halcyon Magic at W'hampton 1m 1f stk pol.
Only For Gold 100-1 Held up and behind, plenty to do over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, snatched 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Willhewiz at Bath 6f stk gd.
Pertemps Job 8-1 Dwelt, held up, headway when not clear run over 2f out, soon ridden, edged left 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Shaaban at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn clm pol.
Polish Spirit 14-1 Held up mid-division, ridden over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 9l behind Duelling Banjos at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp sft.
Tafaahum (USA) 14-1 Hampered at start, behind and never a factor, last of 6, 32l behind Distant Connection at Ripon 1m 3yo hcp 0-90 (C) gf in Jun.
Tartiruga (IRE) 6-1 Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 8l behind Lord Chamberlain at W'hampton 1m 1f amt clm stk (G4) pol in Mar.
Rowan Pursuit 3-1 Held up in rear, headway final 2f, kept on under pressure but no chance with winner, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Blackmail at Lingfield 1m sll pol.
Firebird Rising (USA) 6-1 Held up in rear, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 12, 4l behind Lillianna at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn clm (H5) pol in Mar.
Go Green 6-1 Soon pushed along towards rear, headway on wide outside over 1f out, edged left and ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 18, 3 1/2l behind Saucy at Brighton 1m 2f stk gd.
Radmore Spirit 16-1 Held up in rear, headway on inside 2f out, squeezed through to take 3rd, no further impression, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Surdoue at Brighton 1m stk gd.
Ardasnails (IRE) 100-1 Always behind, last of 10, 26l behind Self Respect at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (D3) pol in Jan.
Goodenough Blue Bluegrass Prince filly out of a lightly-raced mare.
One Upmanship 9-1 Held up in mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 10, 3l behind Maniatis at W'hampton 1m 4f app sll pol.
