settled in close 5th, smooth headway to chase leading pair over 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, driven, stayed on final furlong to lead final strides
led, pushed along entering straight, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders in 4th at 4th place, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, niggled 5f out, driven, looked beaten when fell broke leg inside final 2f
tracked leader, headed over 2f out, hard ridden, stayed on final furlong, caught final strides
Linda's Lad puts his Epsom credentials on the line here and can prove up to the task ahead of Before You Go, Botteen and Hazeymm. When Andre Fabre decides to send one over for this type of race, you have to sit up and take notice, as the French trainer only aims his good horses at the English Classics if they are considered the very best in the yard. This son of Sadler's Wells was not out of the first two in six juvenile starts that ended with a Group 1 success in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud. He will improve for his recent return to action at Longchamp and is taken to defy a penalty, with connections stressing that he goes better left-handed in a race with plenty of pace. Like the selection, Before You Go is another son of Sadler's Wells and we know he goes well here. Terry Mills is hopeful that his Blue Riband Trial winner will improve again to make his presence felt here before lining up at Epsom. Botteen has not been seen since lowering the colours of Thursday's Chester Vase winner Papal Bull at Salisbury last September and could be a real dark horse if showing up well on his return, while Hazeymm's ability to last out the trip is open to question but he has done nothing wrong. Mark Johnston's yard has yet to hit top gear and in any case Baan has it to do on the bare form, with Linda's Lad the choice.
Linda's Lad (9-2) 4th of 6, 3/4l behind Gentlewave (9-2) at Longchamp 1m 2f 3yo Grp 2 (1) in Apr.
Baan (USA) 5-1 (9-0) Tracked leading pair, pushed along 3f out, driven and stayed final furlong, not quicken near finish, 3rd of 5, 1/2l behind Primary (9-0) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Before You Go (IRE) 8-13fav (9-1) Held up in last place, effort over 2f out, led just inside last, ridden out, won at Epsom 1m 2f 3yo stk (2) gd in Apr beating Hanoona (8-10) by 1 1/2l, 3 ran.
Botteen 5-2 (9-0) Slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, ridden 3f out, ran on well to lead close home, readily, won at Salisbury 1m 2yo mdn (5) gd in Sept beating Papal Bull (9-0) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Hazeymm (IRE) 13-8fav (8-11) Dwelt, pulled hard, soon tracked leader, led inside final 4f, hard driven final furlong, stayed on gamely, won at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo stk (4) gd in Apr beating Rumsfeld (8-11) by a nk, 4 ran.
