led, headed 1st, tracked leader, led again before 3 out, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, kept on but no match for winner
held up in touch, went second approaching 3 out, led going well before 2 out, went clear on bridle last, easily
raced in third, niggled along 3 out, soon ridden for effort, ran on flat
led 1st, mistake 4th, headed and weakened quickly approaching 3 out
soon detached in rear and tailed off after 2nd
always in rear, niggled along after 2nd, soon tailed off
BALLINSKER gets the nod in this as he clearly goes well fresh and is back in the right grade after a foray into Listed company at Haydock when last seen. A recent absence shouldn’t be a concern either for Milkwood, who rates a danger, while Stimulating Song’s last outing came in a Grade 3 handicap at Kempton in March. Al Kout has been running in staying races on the Flat this summer but has never won on Turf. Barden Bella’s second came in a point-to-point so this will probably be too short.
Ballinsker (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Raced keenly, led 2nd to next, remained prominent, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and one pace after next, no impression before last, 4th of 7, 11 1/4l behind Thebannerkingrebel (11-0) at Haydock 2m lst (1) gs in Nov.
Milkwood (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 15, 2 3/4l behind Scaramanga (12-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Stimulating Song 16-1 (11-6) Behind, jumped left 6 out, weakened before 3 out, 12th of 18, 20 3/4l behind Mcfabulous (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Bardd (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Led, mistake and headed 4 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before next, at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Ocean's Dream (FR) 80-1 (10-12) Towards rear, not fluent 1st, behind from 5th, 7th of 10, dist behind Grey Spirit (11-4) at Warwick 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Barden Bella (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Pr, 5th 1/2way, clsr 3rd aftr 4out, gng well 3out, jnd ldr 2out, no ex last, ko onepce, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Boher Cailin (11-11) at Turtulla 3m mdn hvy in Mar.
Al Kout 8-1 (9-8) Led, clear after 4f, reduced lead 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra, last of 4, 5 1/4l behind Rodrigo Diaz (8-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (4) pol in Sep.