steadied start, held up in 8th, switched left over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never going pace to trouble leaders
tracked leaders, keen hold as pace steadied 6f out, hard driven 2f out, one pace and no impression over 1f out
took keen hold in 5th, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
steadied start, held up last and well off the, pace, took keen hold as pace steadied 6f out, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong to 4th near finish, never able to challenge
made all, set even pace until steadied tempo 6f out, lifted pace over 3f out, strongly pressed 1f out, ridden found extra kept on gamely and in command final 100 yards
tracked winner, ridden 2f out, ridden not quicken and lost 2nd over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
held up in 7th and off the pace, hanging right from 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never able to challenge
tracked leading trio, went 3rd 4f out, weakened over 2f out, eased inside final furlong
unseated rider on way to start, ran loose briefly, pulled hard in 6th, headway on outside over 2f out, chased winner and looked dangerous over 1f out, found no extra and held final 100 yards
A mix of noted improvers versus some old stagers and ILLUSTRIOUS BLUE could be the answer to this conundrum with Sabotage and Opinion Poll as the dangers. William Knight's stable star won the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot in gritty fashion and proved that he does stay two miles. On the negative, Aajel ran disappointingly at York last weekend but with many of these performers nearer Group 3 than Group 1 standard, this is an obvious place to attempt a follow up. Sabotage has been surprisingly rejected by Frankie Dettori in favour of Darley Sun. The ex-Mark Johnston inmate won at Meydan in February but was beaten in a listed contest at Newbury by a stable companion on his return to the Northern hemisphere. Darley Sun will be having his first run of the season and his first run for the boys in blue. A handicap snip in last season's Cesarewitch, he was a big money transfer though he has some way to go before making the leap between handicapper and cup horse. Opinion Poll won effortlessly at Nottingham on soft going earlier this season. He was impressive but the ground may well have exaggerated the magnitude of the victory. Eradicate won the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock on his most recent racecourse appearance but is asked to step up from the handicaps he won on the flat for Mark Johnston. Furmigadelagiusta was surprisingly backed into favouritism on his seasonal reappearance. That was his first run for Richard Fahey and it will not have been lost upon him.Saptapadi had been tried in Group 3 company last term so was fully entitled to win his reappearance at a lesser level at Doncaster and would be one to watch in the market. Many positives and negatives for a number of the participants and Illustrious Blue has more of the former and less of the latter.
Balkan Knight 40-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, driven and beaten final 2f, 7th of 9, 8l behind Claremont (8-12) at Newbury 1m 5f Listed stks (1) gf.
Eradicate (IRE) (8-9) 3rd of 8, 4l behind Boris De Deauville (8-11) at Deauville(FR) 1m 2f Grp 3 in Aug '08.
Furmigadelagiusta 15-8fav (9-6) Raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 31l behind Merchant Of Dubai (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 4f stks (2) gs in Mar.
Illustrious Blue 16-1 (9-1) Held up last, ridden and headway on outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, quickened to lead final 100 yards, won at Ascot 2m Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr beating Aajel (9-1) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Akmal 9-2fav (9-0) Pulled hard, in touch in 5th, headway to 2nd and still pulling 9f out, lost 2nd 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 14l behind Illustrious Blue (9-1) at Ascot 2m Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Darley Sun (IRE) 9-2fav (8-6) Held up in touch, headway well over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on strongly (hand timed), won at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Mamlook (9-1) by 5l, 32 ran.
Montaff 14-1 (8-11) Took keen hold, in touch,slightly lost place on inside over 4f out, headway on outside over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Illustrious Blue (9-1) at Ascot 2m Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.
Sabotage (UAE) 5-2fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, went 2nd under pressure 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong but not able to reach winner, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Claremont (8-12) at Newbury 1m 5f Listed stks (1) gf.
Saptapadi (IRE) 2-7fav (9-12) In touch, led 2f out, pushed clear, comfortably, won at Doncaster 1m 4f mdn stks (4) gf in Apr beating Dancing Dude (8-7) by 5l, 10 ran.
Opinion Poll (IRE) 11-8fav (8-11) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon clear, heavily eased well inside final furlong, won at Nottingham 1m 6f Listed stks (1) sft in Apr beating Montaff (8-11) by 4l, 10 ran.
