steadied start and held up, steady headway over 2f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, stayed on to lead final 100 yards
led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
held up and behind, pushed along 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
always behind
mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and effort approaching final furlong, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, headed and no extra final 100 yards
mid-division, outpaced 2f out, never on terms
mid-division, ridden and outpaced 2f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, never troubled leaders
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
Bailieborough secures our vote of confidence against Ballyhurry and Kew The Music. David Nicholls' charge rarely runs a bad race at this venue and having already had three sighters of the racecourse this term, there are no worries about his fitness on this occasion. He does have to reverse form with Ballyhurry but that rival did have the better of the draw at Catterick on that occasion and is arguably better over seven than eight furlongs. Kew The Music is unproven over a mile but that said, he was putting in fair work at Brighton over the trip so connections are obviously hopeful of victory here. Top Dirham has had his training troubles but when the money is down, he is rarely far away. He handles fast ground adequately enough and the visor is applied first time today. Wahoo Sam has never won first time up so may need this outing. Stoic Leader's recent form has been modest on the all-weather although his supporters will no doubt point out that he has recorded two victories at this course. Of the remainder, Efidium is interesting in that Paul Hanagan is reunited with him. On his only previous ride aboard him, the pair finished second in a big handicap at Redcar. Competitive fare with Bailieborough selected having considered the substantial claims of the opposition.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 15-2 Held up, stayed on under pressure on outer over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Miss Polaris at Lingfield 1m hcp gs.
Wahoo Sam (USA) 5-2fav Keen, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 9l behind Red Contact at Southwell 1m hcp (D2) fbs in Dec.
Bailieborough (IRE) 3-1 Close up, brought to stands' rail in straight, pressed winner from 2f out, upsides approaching final furlong, well held, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Veneer at Epsom 1m 1f stk gs.
Efidium 50-1 In touch stands' side, effort 2f out, no impression, 11th of 17, 16l behind Raymond's Pride at Ripon 6f hcp sft.
Top Dirham 16-1 In touch, ridden and headway well over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on, 4th of 15, 1 1/2l behind Torrid Kentavr at Newcastle 1m hcp sft.
Nistaki (USA) 16-1 Chased leaders until lost place 2f out, last of 15, well behind Torrid Kentavr at Newcastle 1m hcp sft.
Ballyhurry (USA) 10-1 Held up towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, soon ridden, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Catterick 7f hcp gd beating Hazewind by 2l, 16 ran.
Kew The Music 4-1 Mid-division, ridden 3f out, headway 2f out to chase leaders, stayed on same pace from over 1f out, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind High Bray at Brighton 1m hcp gf.
Slavonic (USA) 10-1 Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, chased winner, no impression, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Aswan at W'hampton 7f hcp pol.
Son of Thunder (IRE) 16-1 Mid-division, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f, 10th of 13, 11l behind Wrenlane at W'hampton 1m 1f stk (F3) pol in Nov.
Senor Bond (USA) 14-1 Behind, outpaced halfway, switched right and headway over 1f out, ran on, never nearer, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind No Grouse at Southwell 7f hcp gf.
