awkward start, in touch in rear, switched left 2f out, soon ridden and no impression until ran on strongly inside final furlong, snatched 2nd post
keen, tracked leader over 6f out, led entering final 2f, ridden and ran on, comfortably
took keen hold, in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out
set steady pace, ridden and headed entering final 2f, kept on same pace, lost 2nd post
in touch in rear, ridden and no impression over 2f out, stayed on near finish
tracked leader early, close up, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
A winner at Chester last season, IBSAAR was too free on last month's reappearance at Lingfield and is likely to settle better today. He's just preferred to Dasho, who went close over 7f at Wolverhampton last time and should get the extra furlong here. Joe Le Taxi has won four times over 6f this year but is not certain to stay the extra, while Focail Maith may need another run to put him straight judged on his modest reappearance effort a fortnight ago. The betting may give the best clue to what's expected on their seasonal debuts from Double Dealer and The Shrew, who both won last season and hail from powerful yards.
Double Dealer 4-1 (9-7) Held up in touch, driven and headway over 1f out, soon led, ran on well, won at Goodwood 7f 2yo hcp 0-80 (4) gs in Oct beating Uncle Dermot (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
The Shrew 9-2fav (8-3) In touch, progress to track leader 4f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 15, 7l behind Honeymead (8-2) at Newmarket 7f 2yo fll hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Dasho 9-1 (8-11) Led after 1f, ridden clear over 1f out, headed final strides, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Kingscroft (8-11) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Ibsaar 3-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, raced wide, held up in touch in rear, outpaced over 2f out, never a factor, 4th of 5, 9l behind She Ain't A Saint (9-6) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Focail Maith 8-1 (9-7) In rear, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 4, 18l behind Palm Pilot (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Joe Le Taxi (IRE) Evensfav (8-8) Tracked leader, pushed along halfway, ridden to lead narrowly entering final furlong, driven towards finish, always holding rival, won at Wolverhampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar beating Tom Sawyer (9-7) by nk, 3 ran.