mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon behind
behind, driven over 2f out, headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
led, ridden, headed over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
tracked leader, led over 1f out, quickened clear, ran on final furlong
mid-division, effort over 2f out, soon beaten
towards rear, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, stayed on towards finish
prominent, driven over 2f out, ridden, one pace final furlong
never better than mid-division
held up, driven over 2f out, weakened final furlong
always in rear division
tracked leaders, switched right over 1f out, chased winner final furlong
prominent, weakened, eased over 1f out
Zidane is taken to follow up at the expense of Dazzling Bay, Breaking Shadow and Banjo Patterson to name but three. The feature race on the card has attracted some useful sorts including the improving Zidane who returned to winning ways with a battling performance in the Dick Peacock Sprint at Thirsk just over three weeks ago. A rise in the weights is unlikely to stop James Fanshawe's charge from making a bold bid to follow up, as he is reckoned to be bordering on Listed class. Mind you, he does have a low draw and takes on good company here, with Dazzling Bay just one lively threat. Tim Easterby's six-year-old bounced back from an injury to score over the course-and-distance last time, making the most of a high draw in the process. Housed in stall 10 here, he should go very well. Breaking Shadow is also well drawn and hails from an in-form stable, so he should be there or thereabouts along with Banjo Patterson who has yet to fulfil last season's potential. He is dangerous to leave out of calculations, but, despite having the worst of the draw, we think that Zidane can overcome that burden to land the spoils.
Kenmore 25-1 (8-12) Raced centre, held up, never dangerous, 21st of 26, 7l behind Mutamared (8-11) at Newmarket 6f hcap (2) gf in May.
Dazzling Bay 20-1 (9-1) Held up far side, pushed along, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Ripon 6f hcap (3) gd in May beating Prince Tum Tum (8-13) by 1l, 14 ran.
Pieter Brueghel (USA) 9-1 (9-2) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 8l behind Imperialistic (7-13) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
Desert Commander (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) Held up, effort halfway, no impression, 9th of 11, 12l behind Trinculo (8-12) at York 5f hcap (2) sft in May.
Fremen (USA) 14-1 (8-13) Came stand side, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 19th of 22, 15l behind Kamanda Laugh (8-1) at Newmarket 1m hcp (C1) sft in Oct '04.
Banjo Patterson 8-1 (8-5) In touch, ridden halfway, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 9l behind Greenslades (8-13) at Newmarket 6f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
Don Pele (IRE) 50-1 (8-0) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 15th of 20, 15l behind Tax Free (8-9) at York 6f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Aug.
Prince Tum Tum (USA) 9-1 (8-6) Tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 11, 9l behind Imperialistic (7-13) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
Looks Could Kill (USA) 20-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened final 2f, 13th of 14, 33l behind Commando Scott (8-10) at Ayr 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gd in May.
Breaking Shadow (IRE) 15-8fav (8-3) In touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Imperialistic (7-13) at Catterick 7f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in May.
Zidane 3-1fav (10-0) Switched to race stand side, behind, switched left and headway 2f out, soon ridden and stayed on strongly final furlong to lead near finish, won at Thirsk 6f hcap (5) gd in May beating Riquewihr (9-3) by a hd, 20 ran.
Niteowl Lad (IRE) 3-1 (8-9) Held up, headway 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, soon edged left, driven, held on, won at Windsor 5f 3yo hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Peopleton Brook (9-0) by a hd, 8 ran.
