went right start, in touch, ridden to lead 2f out, hung left and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led early, chased leader, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly away, always behind and outpaced
slowly away, held up behind, headway 2f out, soon ridden, ran on to lead post
in touch, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
slightly hampered start, held up, ridden and headway 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on inside left, caught post
Call me mad, but I will take a chance with Aviation in the opener, with Code Orange, Gimasha and Primarily looking like his biggest dangers. Much as he has failed to build on the good impression he made when third on his second run, which came here last season, we find it hard to believe that the selection can have completely lost his way this season. It is last-chance saloon then for him, but we hope he can fly home today. Much as he did not follow it up last time on soft going, Gimasha's second to Nota Bene at Windsor the time before that reads very well given that one's progress this year and her chance is respected, although there is juice in the ground again today. Code Orange's Lingfield all-weather return was disappointing, but her Turf maiden form last season, including when second to the Irish 1,000 Guineas runner-up, Pennkanna Princess, also has a very good look to it. Primarily looks up to winning a race but his form rates in the mid-60s, while Legal Lover is progressing with each run, but needs to improve again by a few pounds to be involved in today's finish. Of the others, Bluebok has also shown some promise and, in what is a race where few would have obvious chances, could nab a place. However, for the winner, we will stick with Aviation.
Bluebok 7-1 (9-4) Held up, effort over 1f out, never on terms, 7th of 12, 5l behind Stormy Nature (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (E3) pol in Oct.
Stavros (IRE) 40-1 (8-11) Held up, always in rear, 11th of 12, 20l behind Off Hire (8-11) at Southwell 6f stk (H5) fbs in Dec.
Firebird 16-1 (8-4) Held up in touch, ridden and ran on well from 2f out, nearest finish, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Kostar (8-12) at Salisbury 6f mdn stk (D) gf in Jul.
Aviation 20-1 (9-0) Chased leaders until halfway, 11th of 17, 12l behind Takhleed (9-0) at Leicester 6f 3yo mdn (5) gf in May.
Fern House (IRE) 100-1 (8-11) Behind, chased along when not much room and ducked left and ran out in race won by Alpine Reel (9-11) at Thirsk 7f mdn stk (5) gd in May, 13 ran.
Fisberry 20-1 (8-11) Pulled hard, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 10th of 14, 11l behind Lightning Flash (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol in May.
Legal Lover (IRE) 9-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden and one pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Dixieanna (8-5) at Doncaster 6f mdn aut stk (5) gf in May.
Primarily 9-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 10l behind Dart Along (9-0) at Pontefract 6f 3yo mdn (5) gf in May.
Code Orange 8-13fav (8-9) Reared start, never going well in rear after, well behind final 2f, 11th of 14, 11l behind Lightning Flash (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol in May.
Gimasha 15-8fav (8-9) Led until headed 2f out, weakened quickly, last of 12, 11l behind Cesar Manrique (9-0) at Bath 5f 2yo mdn (D3) sft in Oct.
Miracle Baby 40-1 (8-9) Raced far side, slowly into stride, behind, never nearer, 7th of 14, 13l behind Starchy (8-9) at Nottingham 6f 2yo mdn (D3) hvy in Nov.
