started slowly, soon tracked leaders, 2nd halfway, ridden to press leader 2f out, stayed on gamely final furlong, led final strides
led and set steady pace, pressed 2f out, held on to narrow advantage under pressure from over 1f out, kept on, headed final strides
raced keenly, tracked leader to halfway, not clear and on rail on 2f out, switched left inside final furlong, one pace when clear, not reached leaders
prominent until lost touch and in rear 4f out, soon well behind, tailed off final 2f
held up behind, in rear 8f out, not much room on inside from 2f out, switched left over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
held up 5th, progress on outside and effort over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression over 1f out
As is expected the big stables unleash a couple of sighters ahead of the Derby and MALIBU BAY is our selection ahead of Taamer and Mishrif. The O'Brien team announced themselves as back on the board with the winner of the Ballysax Stakes in Ireland and with Johnny Murtagh riding trebles at will, there will be plenty of confidence in the saddle. Quite where Malibu Bay is in the pecking order is something to ponder. He took his maiden at Navan with something to spare. Taamer was second in the Autumn Stakes. The market will prove particularly indicative as to how fit he is first time up. Mishrif should have stripped fitter for a recent run at Kempton Park in the Easter Stakes. Big Bound delivered the goods at short odds in a Lingfield maiden but he shouldn't be discounted here as John Gosden is not in the habit of tilting at windmills. Above Average represents a yard in form. He may be better suited to handicaps. Saptapadi was easy to back on introduction at Wolverhampton last winter though his list of entries reads like a who's who of the top three-year-old races. Malibu Bay will prove a tough nut to crack for the home team.
Above Average (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Held up in touch, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, rallied and stayed on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 13, shd behind Everynight (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 2f 3yo mdn (5) gf in Mar.
Big Bound (USA) 5-6fav (9-3) Keen early, soon tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Mar beating Wadaat (8-12) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Malibu Bay (USA) 7-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, headway to 3rd halfway, improved to narrow lead 2f out, strongly pressed, kept on well final furlong, won at Navan 1m 2yo mdn sft in Oct beating Ard Na Greine (9-0) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Mishrif (USA) 10-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, effort towards inside 2f out, ridden to challenege over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Pure Poetry (8-12) at Kempton 1m 3yo Listed stks (1) pol.
Saptapadi (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Chasing leader 4f out, 2nd and every chance from entering straight, not quicken close home, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Pressing Matters (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Taameer 11-4 (9-0) Close up on inside, ridden to go 2nd over 1f out, wandered under pressure inside final furlong and no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Kite Wood (9-0) at Ascot 1m 2yo stks G3 (1) gs in Oct.
