tracked leader, led 2f out to over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, driven and outpaced over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
hung left, chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong
held up, smooth headway on outside 2f out, led going well over 1f out, soon clear, pushed out, comfortably
led, headed over 2f out, soon outpaced, weakened final furlong
held up, not clear run 2f out, headway over 1f out, chased leader briefly inside final furlong, kept on same pace
This isn't a race that favourites have found easy to win in recent years, but if stripping fit following a nine month lay-off, REDFORD can land the spoils, but Icelandic and Buachaill Dona are put forward as possible alternatives. Michael Bell's only runner on the card has never tried this trip before, with his three wins from eight starts all coming over a mile. He's won much better races than this, but been found wanting when stepping into group company, but he's got some fancy entries for later in the year. Another one for whom there are higher hopes than this race is Icelandic. He usually needs a race or two to get going and was fourth of five over the minimum trip at Lingfield last month. The step back up is a positive, but he may want it a little softer. Buachaill Dona won a similar race at Kempton recently, off a higher mark than previously. He was disappointing in Dubai in the winter, but another front running display could reap rewards here. Hamoody's an interesting one, back with Peter Chapple-Hyam after nearly two unsuccessful years in America. He'd done well with him before, and home may be where the heart is. However, we think the most likely winner is Redford.
Buachaill Dona (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Awkward start, led after 100 yards, 4 lengths clear 2f out, ran on strongly, driven out, won at Kempton 6f cnd stks (4yo+) (4) pol in Apr beating Eisteddfod (9-5) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Abraham Lincoln (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no extra in 6th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 9, 9l behind Jumbajukiba (9-12) at Navan 6f lsted stks gd in Apr.
Hamoody (USA) 7-1 (8-7) Fanned 5wd into lane, 5th of 12, 2 1/4l behind Battle Won (8-7) at Santa Anita(USA) 6f clm stks in Mar '08.
Redford (IRE) 11-4fav (8-7) Held up last, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Ordnance Row (9-0) at Salisbury 1m Grp 3 (1) gs in Aug.
Royal Rock 7-4fav (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden, brief effort over 1f out, not quicken, one pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Baby Strange (8-6) at Newbury 6f hcp (2) gd in May '08.
Tamagin (USA) 9-1 (9-6) Made all, ridden over 1f out, driven out, won at Newcastle 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Apr beating Sunrise Safari (8-7) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Zidane 8-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, soon outpaced, last of 12, 12l behind Tax Free (9-4) at Newmarket 6f Listed stks (1) gf in Apr.
Icelandic 3-1 (9-0) Held up in touch, ridden and unable to quicken from over 1f out, kept on, never dangerous, 4th of 5, 2l behind Rowe Park (9-0) at Lingfield 5f 4yo stks (3) pol in Apr.
