held up in touch, keen hold, weakened over 2f out
held up, outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
steadied start, held up, some headway over 2f out, never on terms
led until over 3f out, stayed on same pace final 2f
held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on well
pulled hard in touch, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, every chance approaching final furlong, ran on, just failed
held up mid-division, weakened over 2f out
dwelt, held up, pulled hard, never dangerous
tracked leaders, driven to lead over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, just held on
in touch, effort over 2f out, soon no impression
prominent, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace
Bustan can roll back the years at the expense of Zam Zammah and Bonnie Prince Blue. The selection appears to be something of a reformed character these days and is still well in vis-a-vis his older form. Conditions at Thirsk would have been plenty fast enough and it is hoped that the softer surface will suit his aging limbs. Zam Zammah made an immediate return on a 160 000 guinea purchase price on debut at Lingfield. He was beaten on handicap debut but everything went wrong for him on that occasion and it would be folly to dismiss him out of hand. Bonnie Prince Blue is not proven on today's surface but gave generously for his rider when popped the question at Kempton. Countdown is creeping back down the weights and Tim Easterby's charge is likely to hold each-way claims at good odds if putting his best performance together. Woodcote Place is the archetypal come from behind performer and can never be ruled out if they go too fast upfront. Trafalgar Square handles plenty of give underfoot and is watched in the market in the event of overnight rain. A competitive race that can go the way of Bustan.
Bustan (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Prominent, driven over 1f out, every chance entering final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, nk behind My Paris (9-7) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-100 (2) frm.
Ordnance Row 33-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 3f out, headed inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 28, 8l behind Wise Dennis (8-12) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) gd.
Irony (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Soon chased winner, ridden over 1f out, stayed on, 2nd of 16, 1l behind Ordnance Row (8-8) at Chester 1m hcap (2) gd in Aug.
Signor Peltro 8-1 (8-6) In touch, ridden to challenge over 2f out, edged left under pressure over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 19, 4l behind King's Caprice (9-1) at Newmarket 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct.
Bobski (IRE) 8-1 (7-13) Raced wide, held up in rear, headway on outside and ridden over 2f out, ran on under pressure inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Presumptive (8-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Zam Zammah 9-4 (8-11) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Gallantry (8-8) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (3) pol in Feb.
Bonnie Prince Blue 5-2fav (9-4) Prominent, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-80 (4) pol beating Raza Cab (8-12) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Countdown 18-1 (8-7) Towards rear, headway 2f out, driven, kept on final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Malcheek (9-4) at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-85 (4) frm.
