led after 1f, hard pressed from 2f out, edged right over 1f out, headed narrowly inside finaly furlong, kept on under pressure, no extra towards finish
towards rear, stayed on from over 1f out, nearest finish
started slowly, soon in touch, hampered on rails after 1f, not clear run and hampered over 1f out, kept on final furlong
held up, headway 3f out, led narrowly inside final furlong, headed post, no extra
steady start, pulled hard towards rear, some headway and not clear run inside final furlong, never nearer
prominent, headway over 1f out, stayed on steadily inside final furlong to lead post
led 1f, stayed tracking leader, effort on inside over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up towards rear, headway and not clear run 2f out, hampered over 1f out, not recover
started slowly, in rear, headway wide well over 1f out, soon ridden and weakened
started slowly, pulled hard behind, headway wide 2f out to chase leaders, soon ridden and weakened final furlong
A very competitive affair and one in which we will plump for Balerno ahead of Alafzar, Lucayan Monarch and Mutarafaa. Running through the field. Alafzar runs under a penalty following a comfortable course and distance win in first-time blinkers seven days ago. Kieren Fallon retains the ride and the combination are set to go well again. Balerno, third and beaten just over a length that day, is now six pounds better off at the weights, so clearly has chances of reversing the form. Pas de Surprise is reasonably well-handicapped based on his Turf form and goes well for his young rider. Chandelier is well-weighted on the basis of his course and distance win of just over a year ago but he was beaten in a seller last time. Lucayan Monarch has won here over six furlongs but stays this trip. He ran pretty well over seven last time and is another that can be given a chance if getting back to his best form. Since being reassessed following a couple of wins in December, Mutarafaa has been a little expensive to follow but he too is now back to a winning mark so cannot be ruled out of things. Lucid Dreams has a pound or two to find to be seriously competitive but now reverts to a mile after a number of runs at seven furlongs. Zinging is narrowly held by him based on their runs over seven here last time. Coppington Flyer is very well weighted on the best of his 2003 Turf form but has failed to trouble the judge for a while now. Marnie is well weighted based on his course and distance win of three years ago and, although not really seeming to be in the best of form, a good run from him would not exactly be a surprise. As we say, it's competitive with Balerno getting a narrow vote.
