tracked leader, led over 1f out, found extra when pressed inside final furlong
led 1f, tracked leader, led again 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, alway in rear
raced wide intouch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, soon in touch, ridden and weakened 2f out
mid-division, pushed along and lost place halfway, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong
led after 1f, headed 3f out, soon weakened
towards rear, headway on outer over 2f out, pressed winner 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out
A turnout deserving of the man and MR WILLIS is our call against Bintalwaadi and Clockmaker. John Best's gelding looked well in the paddock at Sandown last time out but having met with interference early doors, was unable to land a blow. His form suggests that he is much better on an artificial surface and he should prefer this assignment to the hustle and bustle of big Saturday handicaps on the turf. Clockmaker won well at Kempton over a mile and is very much in the category of progressive types. If the gelding can handle life going the other way around, he has to be a player. Bintalwaadi ran up against a real hot sort in Decorative at Nottingham but she did not disgrace herself and was a country mile clear of the third placed runner. As a three-year-old filly, she gets a fairly handy allowance against her elders. Samarinda won over seven furlongs here and looks sure to be up in the van from the release of the gate but will be taken on for the lead by Den's Gift. Jake The Snake has struggled in handicaps though Tony Carroll is sure to have him primed for this assignment. Benandonner seems to have rediscovered his form since joining Mike Murphy from Richard Fahey. Docofthebay will be suited by a true run race though he has not won since August 2007. Mr Willis has crept under the radar of late but at his best, he holds a very plausible case.
Benandonner (USA) 8-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, tracked leader, led 6f out, pushed along 3f out, pressed and ridden 2f out, headed entering final furlong, kept on, always held, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Ginger Jack (8-8) at Haydock 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gf.
Den's Gift (IRE) 18-1 (8-13) Soon led, narrowly headed 3f out, stayed front rank until weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 15, 7l behind Crown Choice (9-3) at Sandown 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Jun.
Docofthebay (IRE) 25-1 (8-6) Raced centre, started slowly, behind, headway and edged right to main group over 2f out, never on terms with leaders, 17th of 29, 17l behind Invisible Man (8-9) at Royal Ascot 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Highly Regal (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Soon close up on outside, ridden and every chance 2f out, weakened just over 1f out, 7th of 10, 8l behind Mahadee (9-5) at Salisbury 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gf in Jun.
Jake The Snake (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Switched right start, held up towards rear, good headway on outside over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, finished well, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind All The Nines (9-11) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jun.
Mr Willis 25-1 (8-10) Bumped start, always towards rear, 14th of 17, 16l behind Black Spirit (8-8) at Sandown 1m hcp (2) gf.
Samarinda (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Amethyst Dawn (8-8) at Beverley 7f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Layline (IRE) 20-1 (8-9) Raced far side, towards rear, no chance final 2f, 15th of 27, 12l behind Ransom Note (8-10) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Jun.
Bintalwaadi 3-1 (8-11) Led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Decorative (9-0) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Jun.
Clockmaker (IRE) 6-4fav (9-8) Held up towards rear, pushed along 4f out, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, driven and stayed on well, won at Kempton 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jun beating Red Somerset (9-12) by 3l, 14 ran.
