led early, tracked leader, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
soon led, ridden 3f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, soon switched right, led inside final furlong, ran on
tracked leaders, went 2nd 2f out, soon ridden, no extra final furlong
A disappointing turn out for the decent prize money on offer but this this looks a good starting point for Big Bad Bob who gets a confident vote with Always Esteemed and Private Charter as the dangers. The John Dunlop-trained Big Bad Bob developed in to a smart juvenile, winning his last four starts, culminating in an impressive all-the-way success in a Listed event at Ascot in September. The son of Bob Back is a dual winner on the Roodee and will appreciate the fast ground so this well regarded type, who was supplemented in to the Derby at the latest entry stage, has plenty in his favour. Always Esteemed was an easy maiden winner on his racecourse debut at Ripon and is progressing along the right lines with smart placed efforts in better company at Sandown and Doncaster since. However, the Mark Of Esteem colt has looked ideally suited to a mile and he is not as certain as the selection to prove as effective over this trip. Private Charter steps up in class after his Lingfield all-weather maiden victory in March but represents a stable that has an excellent track record and merits plenty of respect while Kris Kin looked a useful prospect last year but has something to prove at this level.
