with leader, ridden over 2f out, soon led, headed entering final furlong, kept on
held up, headway over 5f out, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 2f out
led, ridden and headed well over 2f out, stayed on
held up behind, ridden and weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, went 2nd over 6f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened 3f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, hung left and led entering final furlong, ran on
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
A chance is taken here with the top-weight Apt To Run, with Ballybeg and Orvietan put forward as the likely dangers. Ed Dunlop is in pretty good form at present and this well bred colt, blinkered for the first time, can add to the trainers success. The form figures don't look too inspiring but he hasn't been beaten far in maidens and a handicap. The headgear may be the key and he looks worth a speculative wager. Ballybeg is a consistent enough sort but may just be in the handicapper's grip. Nevertheless he may be capable of reaching the frame. Orvietan ran well in a better race than this last time and is certainly one to consider for each-way purposes. In a wide open contest Blushing Hilary is another with sound claims, but we are hoping Apt To Run can finally live up to his excellent pedigree and he gets our sporting vote.
Apt To Run (USA) 50-1 (8-5) Held up, never dangerous, last of 9, 5l behind Stage Gift (8-9) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Apr.
Baileys Polka 11-1 (8-12) Towards rear, effort over 3f out, no impression from over 2f out, 6th of 12, 13l behind Conkering (9-3) at Ripon 1m 3yo mdn (5) sft in Apr.
Blushing Hilary (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Led, ridden when headed approahcing final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Magical Music (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo fll hcp (5) pol in Apr.
Ballybeg (IRE) 11-1 (8-10) Led, ridden, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 13l behind Free To Air (9-4) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) sft.
Orvietan (IRE) 8-1 (8-4) Slowly into stride, behind, some headway approaching final furlong, never able to challenge, 5th of 8, 5l behind Royal Amnesty (8-6) at Kempton 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) std.
Swayze (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Behind, kept on under pressure final furlong, never dangerous, 10th of 17, 16l behind Top Shot (8-12) at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp (5) sft in Apr.
Mister Maq 50-1 (8-11) Mid-divison, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 5th of 16, 9l behind European Dream (9-2) at Newcastle 1m 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Machhapuchhare 66-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden 3f out, some moderate progress, 8th of 13, 16l behind Monashee Gold (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn aut (6) pol in Nov.