made all, hit 2nd, clear when not fluent 3rd, hit 4th and 5th, mistake 2 out, unchallenged
took keen hold in last, no chance, chased winner after 2 out until jumped left last, weakened
raced keenly, bumped and chased winner 1st, mistake 2nd, lost 2nd after 2 out, weakened flat
raced in 3rd after jumping left 1st and 2nd, reminder after next, relegated to last before 2 out, went 2nd just after last, no chance with winner
BARIZAN sets the standard here, holding all three of his rivals on various runs this season, and Evan Williams' gelding can take this race before going on to bigger and better things. The selection has won his last three starts in scintillating fashion and the progressive three-year-old seems to have really benefitted for the application of the visor. This more testing track may ask a few more stamina questions however he looks sure to be fine and is very hard to oppose. Forty Thirty has 15 lengths to find on their run at Market Rasen last month and they race off the same terms, however he is expected to fare better today if not pulling as hard as he did last time. Royal Max was second to Forty Thirty at Stratford last month, before filling tenth place behind Barizan (and Forty Thirty) last time out. The final competitor is Riptide who romped home at Fontwell last time out. That was a weak race but he did it well and he might be an improved performer in the blinkers if he takes to them again. However he has 52 lengths to find with Barizan on their Newton Abbot run in August, a distance that looks impossible to make up off 10lb worse terms. This evolves around Barizan who can win again with little fuss, providing Evan Williams with his second win in the race in successive years.
Barizan (IRE) 6-4fav (11-6) Led to 1st, chased leader, regained lead after 4th, hit 3 out, drew clear approaching next, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Sep beating Classic Contours (10-12) by 13l, 15 ran.
Forty Thirty (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Tracked leaders and keen, chased winner after 3 out until flat, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 15, 15l behind Barizan (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Sep.
Royal Max (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) With leader, led after 1st, hit and headed 4th, hit 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 38l behind Barizan (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (2) gd in Sep.
Riptide 2-1fav (10-12) Chased leaders, led 6th, clear after 3 out, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo mdn hdl (5) gf beating Hector's House (10-12) by 25l, 9 ran.
