slowly into stride, held up in rear, switched left and headway over 1f out, ran on to chase winner over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no impression towards finish
tracked leaders, switched left over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
soon led, headed after 1f, pressed winner until over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
broke well, soon steadied, held up, headway over 1f out, not troubled leaders and no impression
held up, pushed along over 5f out, beaten over 2f out
mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led after 1f, ridden and edged left over 1f out, pressed inside final furlong, asserted towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
VALID REASON can improve for his Lingfield debut and take division two of the maiden, while Bonded can continue to improve, and both Capricornus and Your Lad look nice debutants. The last-named represents Chris Wall, who has had no recent runners but can get them fit to win first time. He saddles this Dubawi colt, who is a half-brother to French 1,000 Guineas winner Rose Gypsy and several other classy performers. The market will be our best guide to his chance and also that of Capricornus. Mark Johnston's runner is also related to plenty of winners, while his trainer has readied them to win better races than this first time and he is respected. Bonded improved for a Newbury debut to go well in defeat at Wolverhampton last time and should not be inconvenienced by the drop back to a mile. He has to prove himself on this faster surface, though pedigree suggests he will relish it. Balducci is another with a highly respectable pedigree who needs a check in the betting, but preference is for Valid Reason. The Observatory colt showed up very well over a mile at Lingfield, so we know he acts on the surface and this trip looks ideal. He will come on for both the experience and being sharpened up there and we will side with him.
Balducci Dansili colt out of Miss Meltemi.
Bonded (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway on inside 2f out, switched right entering final furlong, ran on, 3rd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Bowdler's Magic (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Capricornus (USA) Rahy colt out of Silent Partner.
Jazz Age (IRE) 7-1 (8-10) Hampered start, always towards rear, 9th of 11, 16l behind Bowdler's Magic (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
New Den 200-1 (9-0) In touch, ridden halfway, soon weakened, last of 13, 11l behind Arcano (9-0) at Newbury 6f mdn stks (4) gf in Jun.
Ring Of Fire 20-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, ran green early, always towards rear, 7th of 9, 8l behind Too Putra (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Valid Reason 9-1 (9-3) In touch, pushed along over 3f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong, improve, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Whistleinthewind (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Your Lad Dubawi colt out of Krisalya.
Double Fortune Singspiel filly out of Four-legged Friend.
Highland Cadett Putra Sandhurst gelding out of Highland Rossie.
