slowly into stride, headway on inside over 5f out to go mid-division, hung left from over 3f out, eased final furlong
held up mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, not clear run inside final furlong, soon switched right, ran on close home
chased leader over 4f out, ridden 2f out, led briefly 1f out, no extra
held up, ridden, outpaced over 2f out, ran on final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to lead post
raced wide in touch, ridden 2f out, not pace to challenge, kept on
dwelt, soon led, ridden, headed 1f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 3f out
keen, raced wide in touch, ridden 2f out, led entering final furlong, headed post
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, effort approaching final furlong, kept on
towards rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous
ran in snatches, held up mid-division, ridden, weakened over 2f out
In the seven-furlong maiden, Follow The Flag is selected ahead of Leg Sweep and Wassendale. The six horses that finished ahead of Buzbury Rings on his debut have all won since, including Group winner Strategic Prince, although Andrew Balding's charge has not been seen since that debut effort. Follow The Flag has been performing consistently to a level in the low 70s, so there is your benchmark to the form and he is not without claims, while Leg Sweep's recent efforts, including over course and distance, are not far off that. Spinning Dixie, Trump Call, Wassendale (who is a half-sister to Frank Sonata), Trump Call, Madrigale and Ravenna, who steps up in trip today, are others to have shown promise and who have to be given some thought but, for the selection - with the caveat of watch the betting offered up - is Follow The Flag.
Buzbury Rings 25-1 (9-3) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 8l behind Strategic Prince (9-3) at Salisbury 5f 2yo mdn (4) gs in May.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Chased leader, led over 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Sea Land (8-10) at Lingfield 7f mdn stk (5) pol.
Leg Sweep 17-2 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden and joined leaders 1f out, stayed on, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Sea Land (8-10) at Lingfield 7f mdn stk (5) pol.
Caterina Ballerina (USA) Catienus filly, sister to winning miler Glow Of Success.
Madrigale 16-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, keen, soon ridden to go mid-division, ridden 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 5th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Sea Land (8-10) at Lingfield 7f mdn stk (5) pol.
Ravenna 7-2fav (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon prominent, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Iron Pearl (8-12) at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Dec.
Spinning Dixie (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Mid-division, stayed on final 2f, no danger, 7th of 14, 6l behind Lone Wolfe (9-3) at Kempton 7f 3yo mdn aut (5) pol in Jan.
Wassendale 25-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden and stayed on one pace from over 1f out, 4th of 14, 4l behind Lone Wolfe (9-3) at Kempton 7f 3yo mdn aut (5) pol in Jan.
