held up in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong
tracked leaders, switched left and effort over 4f out, led over 3f out, hard ridden over 1f out, ran on
held up in touch, not clear run over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach winner
tracked leader, driven and effort over 2f out, bumped over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up in rear, pulled hard early, never dangerous
held up, headway over 1f out, soon one pace
Bendarshaan probably did not beat a great deal when winning a Pontefract maiden last time but there is probably more to come from the former Ed Dunlop-trained inmate, especially over this longer trip, and he is preferred to both Balkan Knight and Cara Fantasy. The last two mentioned both disappointed on their most recent starts and are probably better than recent evidence would suggest. However, both would prefer a softer surface and are probably best passed over today. A market move for Muskatsturm would be of interest, though a bigger threat may come from Bobsleigh, who hails from a stable back among the winners of late. Neither Gallant Boy nor Lahob make much appeal in a race where Bendarshaan is taken to build on his maiden success.
