held up in mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked clear leader until weakened over 1f out
chased leading pair until weakened 3f out
made all, raced keen and soon clear until 3f out, ridden inside final furlong, held on well towards finish
held up towards rear, headway to go 3rd 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, held near finish
held up towards rear, went 4th over 7f out, soon pushed along, ridden over 5f out, weakened 4f out
slowly into stride, pushed along 5f out, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
The presence of SINBAD THE SAILOR means that two of the seven run from out of the weights and we like the look of George Baker's top-rated runner here; he can take care of Smarties Party and Bold Adventure in a race lacking strength in depth. The selection looks a shrewd buy already having won twice and finished second since joining his current handler. He's really improved since leaving John Hills and being stepped up in trip and looks capable of defying this new mark of 75 now the penny has really dropped, especially as the horse who beat him last time has since gone in again. Smarties Party and Bold Adventure are considered the only real threats to our selection. The first-named is a relatively exposed mare and needs to improve having not yet won on the flat, but she's been running well of late and could rate the value to add to her string of seconds and fill the forecast spot. Bold Adventure beat Smarties Party last time but a 3lb turnaround in the weights and this switch to turf could see those placings reversed. Luna Landing is well treated on old form and arrives here fit from jumping but he's not won on the level since 2006 and can be confidently opposed along with Dan Buoy who hasn't yet won on turf and he's a dour stayer who lacks gears. Go Amwell has won off higher marks and isn't totally ruled out of a place despite being a pound wrong at the weights whereas I Feel Fine is, however it's unlikely in our opinion that any of these will prove good enough to get the better of Sinbad The Sailor, our strong selection.
Sinbad The Sailor 7-4fav (9-4) Led, headed halfway, remained prominent, led again over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, kept on well, 2nd of 6, hd behind Gremlin (8-12) at Wolverhampton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Luna Landing 11-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon in mid-division, pushed along 4f out, soon beaten, last of 10, 28l behind Dazinski (8-5) at Chester 2m hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Aug.
Smarties Party 7-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Bold Adventure (8-9) at Wolverhampton 2m hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Dan Buoy (FR) 25-1 (9-0) Keen early, prominent, ridden 7f out, reluctant and lost place soon after, tailed off over 3f out, last of 14, well behind Cold Turkey (9-11) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Bold Adventure 2-1fav (8-9) Held up in mid-division, headway over 2f out, led and edged right inside final furlong, kept on well, won at Wolverhampton 2m hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar beating Smarties Party (9-2) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Go Amwell 12-1 (9-1) Always behind, 8th of 10, 7l behind Kristallo (9-6) at Kempton 2m hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb.
I Feel Fine 66-1 (8-1) Held up in rear, never dangerous, last of 6, 16l behind Sedgwick (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f clm stks (6) pol in Mar.
