tracked leader, pushed along 2f out, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, soon lost 2nd, one pace after
took keen hold early, held up in close 4th, led over 1f out, ridden and hung left inside final furlong, clear when ridden and edged right well inside final furlong
held up last, steady headway from 2f out, stayed on to chase winner approaching final furlong, no impression
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, soon outpaced, kept on again final furlong
raced keenly, led to over 1f out, weaken final furlong
Just the five runners line up for this conditions race and, unless Godolphin's newcomer Noble Duty is out of the ordinary, this should go to Merchant who is preferred to Mastman. The selection has shown progressive form of late and comes here on the back of wins in a maiden at Hamilton and nurseries at York and Newmarket. Michael Bell's juveniles continue in decent form and it will take a good one to beat the son of Tagula. Brian Meehan's Chester winner Mastman faces no easy task under his penalty and of more interest may be Noble Duty. Godolphin have done well with their two-year-olds this term and this son of Dubai Millennium is bred to be useful. Marcus Tregoning's Takhleed was well held on his Lingfield debut but should have learned from the experience and the form of the race is working out well. Andrew Balding's Nashwan colt Pittsburgh is likely to come into his own over middle distances next term and in any case the stable's youngsters normally improve with racing. Merchant sets a decent standard then and gets the vote to complete a four timer.
