in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed close home
in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden and switched left 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leaders and keen, ridden and one pace over 1f out
tracked leader and keen, effort and not much room over 1f out, one pace
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden and not much room over 1f out, not clear inside final furlong, switched left, ran on
Zafarshah has been in good form of late but the six-year-old has been done no favours by being raised 8lbs by the handicapper for his latest success at Chepstow and preference is for Ballyhurry, who gets the vote ahead of Banjo Bay. The selection holds solid claims off a 5lb higher mark than when beating 15 rivals at Catterick last month and can be forgiven his defeat off today's mark here last time over a trip of a mile that stretches his stamina. Although he has won on a fast surface, Downland is probably better on a softer surface so a bigger threat may come from Senor Bond who is well treated on his best and has shown signs of a revival of late. Sarraaf has slipped to a fair mark and cannot be discounted although of more interest may be Banjo Bay. David Nicholls has his string in fine fettle at present and the son of Common Grounds has been running into form himself so is another to consider but Ballyhurry holds solid claims on the form of his Catterick success and gets the vote.
Ballyhurry (USA) 7-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and effort approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Stoic Leader (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Zafarshah (IRE) 4-1fav (9-10) Held up on stands' side, headway when ridden 2f out, led inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Chepstow 7f hcp (6) gs beating My Michelle (9-4) by 1l, 19 ran.
Banjo Bay (IRE) 4-1fav (9-7) Led, clear 2f out, ridden entering final furlong, headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 14, nk behind Shifty (9-0) at Thirsk 7f hcp (6) gd.
Senor Bond (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Stoic Leader (9-7) at Musselburgh 1m hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Downland (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Shifty (9-0) at Thirsk 7f hcp (6) gd.
Bijou Dan 6-1fav (9-5) In touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 20, 5l behind Mamore Gap (9-0) at Redcar 1m hcp (6) gf.
Attacca 50-1 (8-5) Towards rear, headway under pressure 2f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, 3rd of 15, 3/4l behind Tedsdale Mac (8-13) at Carlisle 6f hcp (5) gf.
Sarraaf (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong, not reach leaders, 4th of 14, 4l behind Sir Bond (9-6) at Musselburgh 7f hcp (6) gd in Apr.