held up towards rear, ridden 4f out, stayed on
led, headed after 4f, stayed prominent, ridden over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, soon one paced
mid division, held up, smooth headway 4f out, effort 2f out, switched right to inside, led over 1f out driven clear
always in rear, ridden from halfway, no impression
held up in rear, hard ridden approaching 3f out, ran on
mid division, effort and some headway 3f out, soon one paced
held up mid division, ridden and ran on strongly from over 1f out, edged right and not reached leader
tracked leaders until went left on bend after 2f, stayed prominent until ridden and every chance 2f out, soon no impression
slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders and keen, led after 4f, ridden over 2f, headed over 1f out, one paced
held up in touch, ridden and weakened over 1f out
Albanov can land the finale on a competitive day of racing, and give Kieren Fallon another success. The John Dunlop-trained son of Sadler's Wells has the right type of profile for this contest: he's lightly-raced, progressive, is improving for a step up in trip, and comes here on the back of a Chepstow maiden win. As such, his initial rating of 83 seems reasonable. Of the others, Saint Alebe is eight pounds higher than for his sole career win - although he is lightly raced - but may be vulnerable off topweight. Light Scent, winner of a Pontefract maiden lasts season has struggled to win since, despite some good efforts. Sergeant Cecil is the only course and distance winner in the contest, but is six-pounds higher in the ratings as a consequence. Dunlop's other runner, Caqui d'Or, has not run since last August, while Mr Ed has been in good heart of late but a place may be the best he can hope for. Smyslov has clearly had his problems and steps up from a run over a mile last time. However, on breeding, this type of trip should suit, but Haafel is hard to make a compelling case for. Overall, then, it has to be Albanov.
