led 1f, tracked leader after, led again 2f out, edged right and ridden out final furlong
slowly away, soon prominent, ridden halfway, weakened approaching 2f out
dwelt, led after 1f, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
keen, raced wide, in touch, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
held up, ridden over 3f out, headway to chase leading pair 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Abaconian stepped up on his debut effort when chasing home Kalankari over course and distance last month and has to be respected but Mark Wallace's colt probably needs to improve to beat Prince Ary, who gets the vote with Darker Than Blue rated the best of the remainder. The selection lacks a previous run this term but showed plenty of promise in some decent maidens last term and, provided that he is fit enough, the Barry Hills-trained gelding could well be good enough. It is probably too early to write off Gizmondo but Michael Bell's colt is difficult to back with any confidence, while Digger Boy may need another run as he looked particularly green on his recent debut. Coltchester looks to be going the right way and has to be considered along with Brian Meehan's newcomer Darker Than Blue but the vote goes to Prince Ary in the hope that he is fit enough for his return.
Abaconian (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Pressed winner throughout, no extra final furlong, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Kalankari (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 3yo mdn (5) pol.
Coltchester (IRE) 50-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, behind, ridden and headway well over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, ran on, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 4l behind Tawaaf (9-0) at W'hampton 6f 2yo mdn aut (6) pol in Dec.
Digger Boy 8-1 (9-3) Started very slowly, never near leaders, 7th of 12, 6l behind Scroll (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
Gizmondo 50-1 (8-2) Raced wide, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 11, 10l behind Tommy Toogood (8-9) at Lingfield 1m mdn stk (5) pol.
Prince Ary 66-1 (8-11) Raced far side, hampered start, held up never dangerous, 18th of 30, 7l behind Murfreesboro (8-13) at Newmarket 6f 2yo aut (2) gd in Sept.
Darker Than Blue Erhaab filly, half-sister to two placed 3yo's.