led chasing group, tailed off halfway, remote 3rd
slowly away, held up in rear, tailed off halfway
with leader, clear from chasing group before halfway, led over 2f out, soon edged left under pressure, just held on (placed 2nd)
soon driven to lead, clear from chasing group halfway, driven over 3f out, headed over 2f out, soon not much room and switched right, hard ridden and stayed on strongly, just failed (awarded race)
held up in rear of chasing group, tailed off halfway
held up in rear of chasing group, tailed off halfway
held up in rear of chasing group, tailed off before halfway
in touch, struggling before halfway, soon tailed off
AKBABEND and Ascendant should fight out this maiden and it's with the first mentioned we side while Just Call Me Dave looks the most interesting newcomer. The selection is probably best judged on his performance three starts ago when second best in maiden company. The ground conditions seemed against him on the last two starts and this looks one of his easiest assignments to date. Sir Mark Prescott's stable have hit a bit of form of late and they send out Ascendant for a belated seasonal bow. The gelding seemed to be moving in the right direction last season and this big step up in trip could see him at his best. Just Call Me Dave is from the red hot Paul Green yard and will be partnered by an in form jock. Judging on his pedigree this trip looks a bit of a stretch but any market support would be interesting. Nothing else in the field makes much appeal so in what looks a match race Akbabend looks just the best.
Minstalad 80-1 (10-12) Towards rear, struggling 6th, 7th of 11, 47l behind Mr Robert (11-2) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jun.
Mistic Academy (IRE) 150-1 (9-6) Held up in rear, tailed off over 4f out, 11th of 12, well behind My Chestnut Girl (8-12) at Ripon 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd.
Akbabend 16-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, no extra entering final furlong, 5th of 7, 4l behind Amazing Blue Sky (8-6) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gs.
Ascendant 9-4 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Fullback (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Sep.
Elusive Muse 8-1 (9-2) Tracked leader until over 3f out, weakening when not much room on inside over 2f out, 6th of 7, 20l behind Royal Destination (9-12) at Haydock 1m mdn stks (5) gd in Jun.
Informal Affair 66-1 (9-3) Towards rear, pushed along over 5f out, weakened 4f out, 8th of 12, 23l behind My Chestnut Girl (8-12) at Ripon 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd.
Just Call Me Dave (USA) Gneiss colt out of Proud Future.
Skybob 80-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 4f out, 13th of 14, well behind Clientele (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gd in Jul.