held up in touch, lost place over 8f out, no danger after
raced keenly, always prominent, led over 3f out, ridden out
mid-division, headway on inside 7f out, chased winner over 2f out until inside final furlong, faded
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, kept on same pace under pressure inside final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind, tailed off final 4f
chased leaders, weakened over 3f out
took keen hold, with leader, led over 6f out until over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
led, headed over 6f out, weakened over 4f out
pulled hard, headway to track leaders after 2f, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd inside final furlong, not troubled winner
slowly into stride, held up, came wide entering straight, headway over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
mid-division, lost place after 2f, in rear after
soon pushed along towards rear, headway on inside over 4f out, weakened 1f out
Barbirolli is the nominal selection with Sovietta, Still Dreaming and Sky Chart three other possible contenders. The selection has already proved capable of winning a race which is a plus in this company and the trainer saddled a winner at Thirsk in the week which may have signalled an upturn in the yard¿s fortunes. The gelding also comes here in decent form, is well handicapped on the pick of his efforts and has a promising apprentice in the saddle. Still Dreaming has made the frame on five of her ten turf starts but has rarely looked like landing a contest and may have to settle for a minor role again. Sovietta is still feasibly treated and should appreciate the return to this trip; she could go close if finding her best form this afternoon. Sky Chart has a little more to prove having finished some way behind Still Dreaming last time but that trip appeared to stretch him and he may be seen to better effect this afternoon. Connections have obtained the services of an experienced and useful claimer; three of their last seven runners have won and he looks interesting but we¿re going to play it safe and side with Barbirolli.
Baileys Best 12-1 (9-1) Led until headed 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 12, 6l behind Double Spectre (9-3) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) frm in Apr '07.
Opera Writer (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Slowly into stride, raced keenly, in touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon one pace, 6th of 13, 3l behind Kokkokila (11-6) at Warwick 1m 5f amt hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Trysting Grove (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Held up and always behind, struggling over 2f out, 11th of 13, 11l behind Top Seed (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jun.
Barbirolli 9-2 (10-11) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on well, 3rd of 13, 1l behind Kokkokila (11-6) at Warwick 1m 5f amt hcp (6) gf in Jun.
Intersky Sports (USA) 14-1 (8-11) Held up, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, last of 5, 16l behind Competitor (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f app sll (6) pol in Feb.
Converti 25-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 5th of 10, 13l behind Dandygrey Russett (10-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f amt stk (6) pol in Jun.
Still Dreaming 10-1 (8-5) Prominent, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 5l behind Hits Only Vic (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 7f app hcp (5) gf in Jun.
Sovietta (IRE) 4-1 (8-9) Held up in rear, headway on inside over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 13, 13l behind Arabian Sun (8-9) at Bath 2m 1f hcap (6) sft in Jun.
Sky Chart (IRE) 8-1 (8-5) Slowly into stride, always rear division, 9th of 12, 13l behind Hits Only Vic (9-2) at Doncaster 1m 7f app hcp (5) gf in Jun.
The Grey One (IRE) 20-1 (8-5) Keen in mid-division, headway 7f out, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 12, 15l behind Sceilin (8-9) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
Royal Tender (IRE) 33-1 (8-1) Ridden from stalls to chase leader, raced freely, ridden over 3f out, weakened approaching final 2f, last of 11, 10l behind dhtrs Takes Tutu (9-4) & Majehar (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Aug.
Orphina (IRE) 40-1 (8-4) Always behind, struggling over 2f out, eased over 1f out, tailed off, 14th of 16, 49l behind Bienheureux (8-11) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) gd in Apr.
Beckenham's Secret 8-1 (8-0) Mid-division, ridden on outside 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 7l behind Sceilin (8-9) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Jun.
