with leader, led 5th, in command from 2 out, mistake last, eased run-in
held up, reminders 3rd, headway at the next, ridden and weakened 3 out
pulled hard, restrained in rear, blundered 3rd, behind from halfway
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up in touch, improved 6th, chased leading pair 3 out, kept on one pace
held up in rear, jumped slow 2nd, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
close up, ridden to chase winner and hit 3 out, kept on, no chance with winner
held up in rear, ridden and some headway 4 out, never dangerous
Bayard has a simple task here and it is just a question of what will chase him home. Trackattack, Knock Bridge and Best Game are three likely forecast contenders. With the penalised pair Flaming Weapon and Reaching Out declining this opportunity, the path is clear for Bayard to go one better than when second on his hurdles debut at Warwick at the end of last month. James Fanshawe's gelding, a maiden from four starts on the Flat, produced a most pleasing effort when going down by just half-a-length to the useful Le Corvee at the midlands track, and if there is anything as good as the latter in this line-up then we have not seen it. Quite simply, Bayard looks nailed on but at his short price it may be more profitable to go for the forecast. Trackattack won a 10 furlong seller on the Flat at Beverley in May when trained by Martin Pipe, but pulled much too hard on his timber bow for Paul Howling at Huntingdon, finishing last of nine. A little more restraint may see him involved in the finish along with Knock Bridge who is fit from the Flat. She has not shown much hails from an astute yard that will place her to good effect in time. Best Game has made all during his two Flat victories this summer, at Musselburgh and Carlisle, and may be the one to tow them along here as well. The sharp track may help his cause, but by the time they reach the last, he will surely have given way to Bayard who can give Tony McCoy an armchair ride.
Bayard (USA) 9-2 (10-12) In touch, headway to lead 3 out, ridden 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Le Corvee (10-12) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Oct.
Best Game 14-1 (8-1) With leaders, every chance over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened, 10th of 19, 8l behind Out of India (8-8) at Redcar 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Oct (Flat).
Champagne Rossini (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Raced keenly in touch, led 3rd, headed before 4 out, weakening when blundered next and pulled up 2 out in race won by Aviation (10-12) at Cartmel 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gd in Aug, 12 ran.
Lobengula (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Chased leader, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 33l behind Ivana Illyich (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gs.
Mister Aziz (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Held up, soon driven along, headway over 1f out, kept on, nearest finish, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Diamond Josh (8-8) at W'hampton 6f mdn clm (7) pol in Oct (Flat).
Trackattack 33-1 (10-12) Led after 1st, headed 3rd, remained with leader, ridden and every chance 3 out, soon weakened, last of 9, 23l behind Reaching Out (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gs.
Vettorious 12-1 (10-12) Led, mistake 4th, headed next, weakened 3 out, 12th of 15, 45l behind Voir Dire (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m 3yo mdn hdl (D) gf in Oct.
Flower Haven 33-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, tried to run out, led narrowly 3 out, headed approaching 2 out and weakened quickly, 7th of 8, 38l behind Alfred The Great (10-12) at Sandown 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gs.
Golden Squaw 66-1 (8-2) Always behind, 9th of 10, 26l behind King's Account (8-9) at Beverley 7f 2yo mdn aut (E3) gf in Sept '04 (Flat).
Knock Bridge (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, raced centre, soon chased leaders, joined leader 4f out, soon ridden, one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 17, 7l behind Davenport (8-13) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Oct (Flat).
Ngauruhoe (IRE) 25-1 (8-6) Held up towards rear, ran on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 15, 4 1/2l behind Shekan Star (8-11) at Warwick 1m 3f 3yo stk (7) gd in Oct (Flat).
