chased leaders, effort 2f out, one paced until weakened inside final furlong
prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden and one paced final furlong
towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
mid division, pushed along over 3f out, ridden 2f out, never near to challenge
close up, led over 5f out, headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
dwelt at start, towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear, never dangerous
never better than mid division
held up, headway 2f out, ridden and stayed on final furlong
prominent, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra final furlong
prominent, led 2f out, went clear over 1f out, kept on final furlong
chased leaders until out paced final 3f
towards rear, some late headway, never near to challenge
led, headed over 5f out, soon beaten
A big field assemble for the finale but Bond Millennium can prove up to the task against First Maite and Unshaken. Bryan Smart's five-year-old has come to himself of late judged by his emphatic success at Carlisle in June. He had no luck in running when attempting a follow-up at Redcar, and those coming from off the pace were caught out by the pacemakers as well. The stiffer mile here will suit him better and he is fancied to recoup losses from his low draw. First Maite has been a model of consistency but is boxed on the other side of the course in stall 18. He will no doubt prove best of those on the stands side and is a banker for the frame, while Unshaken has started to hit form and is well handicapped on his efforts of a couple of years ago. Even so, his best may not be good enough and Bond Millennium should prove his superior here before racegoers settle down to listen to the after-race entertainment-Alpengold Blaskapelle, a German 'Oom Pah' band!
