held up, gradually lost pace from over 5f out, behind final 3f
held up, effort to chase leading trio 3f out, one pace from over 1f out
steadied start, headway over 3f out, shaken up over 1f out and kept on
tracked leader, ridden 2f out and weakened
held up and keen, effort 3f out, no impression
towards rear, headway over 3f out, switched right 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra
soon led, driven over 3f out, headed 2f out, rallied to lead again well inside final furlong, game
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, challenged from approaching final furlong, headed well inside and no extra
Bandama gets the vote to land the feature event of the evening following on from a very encouraging seasonal debut where he finished a fast finishing second in what turned out to be quite a messy race at Epsom. After loosing his place coming down Tattenham Corner, he found himself having to thread his way through a wall of horses and ultimately just failed to peg back the winner. He has not scored for over two years which is a concern but he remains a real admirable sort and can get due reward for his consistency today. Three of Formax's four outings this season have been over this course and he was a winner last time when he finally was stepped up to 12 furlongs. This step up to 1m 6f should hold no fears and he is the obvious danger to Bandama. Swan Queen is proven over the trip, finishing third behind two unexposed rivals on his penultimate start. Shela House finished behind two very well handicapped horses at Newmarket last time and although he shapes as a stayer, there would have to be doubts about his ability to see it out as well as some. Luca Cumani does very well with horses of Lepido's type although it is surely asking too much of him to land this. Bandama is selected to land it for the Amanda Perrett yard.
Tusculum (IRE) (9-0) 7th of 11, 9l behind Spectaculaire (8-12) at Saint-Cloud 1m 7f stk gd in Apr '07.
Bandama (IRE) 9-2fav (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, headway over 2f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 15, hd behind Bureaucrat (8-13) at Epsom 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Formax (FR) 15-2 (8-13) Held up behind, steady progress 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, squeezed through gap and stayed on strongly to lead final 40 yards, won at Goodwood 1m 4f hcap (3) sft in May beating Akarem (9-0) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Swan Queen 11-2 (8-12) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Wing Express (9-10) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in May.
Lepido (ITY) 14-1 (9-2) Held up, effort over 2f out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 7, 11l behind Ezdiyaad (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 2f hcap (3) gd in May.
Shela House 12-1 (8-13) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Punjabi (8-5) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcap (3) gf in May.
Ollie George (IRE) 3-1fav (9-6) In touch, fourth 3f out, soon ridden, not pace to trouble leaders over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Paktolos (9-2) at Salisbury 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Fregate Island (IRE) 11-4 (9-8) Led until halfway, stayed in touch, led again over 3f out, headed over 1f out and weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 5l behind Numero Due (9-6) at Musselburgh 2m hcap (4) gd in May.
