held up in touch, headway over 3f out, soon ridden to challenge, weakened over 1f out
made all, hard driven over 1f out, ran on well, unchallenged
started very slowly, detached in rear, headway and in touch halfway, under pressure 3f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
tracked winner, driven to challenge over 3f out, one pace final 2f
Nonrunner
TUT can get the better of Bakongo here with Granny McPhee, Bollin Dolly and Levitation others to mention. Andrew Elliott's mount is 3lbs higher than when second last time but that was a real step forward and another one could see her defy the rise. Unexposed after just six starts, she's got scope to improve and showed last time that fast ground holds no fears and clearly stays the trip. Bakongo is surely better than she showed on her handicap debut and this daughter of Cape Cross seemed to act well enough on turf when making her debut in a warm maiden last term. Rated just 77, there's every chance she'll prove much better than this mark in time. Levitation is very interesting having comfortably scored on the polytrack when last seen 187 days ago. Early indications are though that she may come on for this return and unless support arrives she's opposable for that reason. Granny McPhee needs a gallop over this trip but loves quick ground and is in great form. However, she's a pound higher than when held last time and the absence of a guaranteed pace-setter means she is worth opposing. Similarly, Bollin Dolly is a couple of pounds higher than when suffering a comprehensive defeat last time and looks in the grip of the handicapper. Caster Sugar takes a big drop in grade but she's 5lbs higher than when last scoring in handicap company and has looked out of sorts lately, so we'll give Tut the vote.
Caster Sugar (USA) 66-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 7l behind Lady Jane Digby (8-12) at Warwick 1m 3f fll lst stks (1) gd in Jun.
Bollin Dolly 9-2 (9-11) Mid-division, headway and not clear run 2f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 4th of 9, 6l behind Sircozy (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Granny McPhee 11-2 (9-0) Held up in last pair, went 3rd over 2f out, soon ridden, ran on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Desert Kiss (10-0) at Chester 1m 2f flls hcp 0-130 (3) gf in Jun.
Ethics Girl (IRE) 33-1 (9-7) Held up, switched left to race center 6f out, switched back to join stands side group over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 7th of 9, 8l behind I'm A Dreamer (9-3) at Newmarket 1m flls hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Tut (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, always held, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Azlak (9-3) at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Dream In Waiting 18-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, weakening when not much room over 2f out, last of 11, 31l behind Ninth House (7-12) at Doncaster 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Levitation (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Made all, pushed along over 2f out, soon ridden stayed on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec beating Midnight Strider (9-3) by 5l, 11 ran.
Bakongo (IRE) 10-3fav (8-9) Steadied start, held up intouch, ridden 2f out, some progress 1f out, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 7l behind Sea Lord (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) pol in May.
