took keen hold in mid-division, headway over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
raced keenly, prominent, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
took keen hold, mid-division, headway over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
went left start, took keen hold and always prominent, went 2nd and hung left 1f out, no impression on winner
led over 2f, with leader, led again over 2f out, clear over 1f out, ran on
tracked leader until weakened quickly over 3f out
always behind
took keen hold in mid-division, headway over 4f out, weakened over 2f out
A poor maiden here with little to go on and we will take a chance on Perez, one of Pat Eddery's first runners as a trainer, to be good enough to beat Duxford and Baba Ghanoush. The selection showed bits of ability on turf for Richard Hannon, and was not beaten too far by horses rated in the 70s and 80s at Bath in September 2004, when last seen out, which may be good enough in this sphere. The long lay-off and unproven form of horse or trainer mean that this is a tentative suggestion. Duxford showed a good attitude when chasing home Admiral Compton at Lingfield over a mile in October 2004, and ho too hasn't been seen since. A reproduction of that first time back would entitle him to go close. Baba Ghanoush has recent form and fitness on her side and ran on well here last time to finish fourth. She can't be written off, though maybe she doesn't have the ability of the other pair. Watch the market for further clues, but without that knowledge we'll take a chance no Perez.
Duxford 50-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Admiral Compton (9-0) at Lingfield 1m mdn stk (D3) pol in Oct '04.
Freshwinds Bahamian Bounty gelding, brother to 5f winner Stalky, half-brother to winning miler Chandelier and 6f winner Minimum Bid.
John Bratby (USA) Royal Academy colt out of the useful middle-distance winner Side Saddle.
Legal Dram 40-1 (9-0) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, never on terms, 8th of 14, 8l behind Middle Eastern (9-0) at Southwell 6f mdn stk (5) fbs in Nov.
Perez (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) In touch, pushed along 3f out, soon beaten, 8th of 11, 5l behind Bahamian Magic (9-0) at Bath 6f 2yo mdn aut (E3) gd in Sept '04.
Baba Ghanoush 25-1 (8-9) Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 12, 3l behind Elizabethan Age (8-9) at W'hampton 7f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Nov.
Hilltop Fantasy 16-1 (8-5) Held up behind, chased leaders over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out, 4th of 11, 10l behind Bettalatethannever (8-12) at Lingfield 7f nov med aut stk (D) pol in Dec '03.
Strobinia (IRE) Soviet Star filly, half-sister to several winners including the useful I'm Supposin.