slowly into stride, behind, ridden over 2f out, never on terms
mid-division, lost place well over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, pulled hard, always in rear
led, clear over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, battled gamely
always prominent, outpaced 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, hard ridden and ran on to lead close home
held up mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on well, nearest finish
chased leaders over 4f
slowly away, always behind
held up in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Maid Of Ailsa receives the tentative nomination in a race in which the market should tell us plenty. Ralph Beckett and Peter Chapple-Hyam have both made good starts to the season and they saddle runners that showed plenty of promise at two. Candida's Beau makes marginally more appeal than Sir George at this trip but there's little to choose between the pair on the formbook. There may well be more to come from Pha Mei Blue and Asian Lady too but there are no doubts regarding the form and fitness of the selection. Willie Haggas' well bred filly made a very pleasing debut when staying on into third over course and distance. She seems sure to derive a huge amount of improvement from that experience and Michael Hills takes over in the saddle from Liam Jones; we expect Maid Of Ailsa to shed her maiden tag today.
Beat The Bell Beat All colt out of winning sprinter Bella Beguine.
Borrowdale 20-1 (9-0) Raced wide mid-division, ridden halfway, weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 16l behind Bombardier Wells (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
Candida's Beau 7-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, driven to lead inside final furlong, headed and not quicken well inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Southpaw Lad (8-10) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Nov.
Cherries On Top (IRE) Elnadim colt, half-brother to 5f winner Going Straight.
Pha Mai Blue 9-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 8, 11l behind Kylayne (8-13) at Lingfield 6f 2yo stk (4) pol in Oct.
Sir George (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Mid-division, no impression from 2f out, 12th of 22, 21l behind Sudden Impact (8-11) at Curragh 6f 2yo stk sft in Aug.
Asian Lady 8-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 8th of 9, 5l behind Premier Danseur (9-3) at Doncaster 6f 2yo mdn (4) gf in Nov.
Expediter 25-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 8l behind Italian Art (9-1) at Nottingham 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) sft in Oct.
Milloaks (IRE) 100-1 (8-9) Awkward leaving stalls and always behind, last of 12, 37l behind Missit (8-12) at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn auc (6) gf in Sept.
Second Opinion (IRE) 9-2 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, no impression, 7th of 14, 9l behind Dresden Doll (9-0) at Bath 5f 2yo mdn fll (5) gf in Aug.
Maid of Ailsa (USA) 5-2 (8-7) Slowly away, in rear, headway over 1f out, shalen up inside final furlong, ran on close home, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Opus Maximus (8-12) at Lingfield 6f mdn stk (5) pol in Mar.