held up mid-division, ridden and headway well over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
towards rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, ran on
in touch, chased leaders over 3f out, ridden to go 2nd over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, headway and every chance over 1f out, kept on
with leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
reared start, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f
held up, headway and every chance over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
dwelt, soon chasing leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened final furlong
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
with leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened final 2f
Bijou Dan can defy a penalty at the expense of Queen's Echo, Mystical Ayr and Jordan's Spark. Bijou Dan was very impressive when scoring over the course-and-distance eight days ago on what was just his second outing for new connections, and has been found a suitable opportunity to follow up under a penalty. With the cheekpieces on again, the six-year-old is a confident choice ahead of Queen's Echo. The latter has a theoretical chance of turning the tables on the selection, being 6lb better off for the four-lengths that separated them last time, but the feeling is that she will once again struggle over today's trip, as she seems far more effective over a mile. Mystical Ayr has topweight but is a course winner, while Jordan's Spark goes well here but has yet to sparkle in two runs this term. The rest make no appeal, and Bijou Dan has obvious claims.
Mystical Ayr (IRE) 10-3 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 10l behind Bijou Dan (8-10) at Ayr 1m 1f hcap (6) gs.
Bijou Dan 25-1 (8-10) Held up behind, ridden and headway over 2f out, led entering final furlong, soon clear, won at Ayr 1m 1f hcap (6) gs beating Zell (8-8) by 4l, 12 ran.
Apache Point (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Prominent, pushed along halfway, effort over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 16, 6l behind Networker (8-11) at Beverley 1m hcap (6) gd.
Counterfactual (IRE) 14-1 (8-9) Started slowly and towards rear, headway when not much room over 1f out, switched left and stayed on towards finish, 7th of 16, 6l behind Networker (8-11) at Beverley 1m hcap (6) gd.
Jordans Spark 20-1 (8-8) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, hung left and soon weakened, 11th of 12, 10l behind Bijou Dan (8-10) at Ayr 1m 1f hcap (6) gs.
Desert Lightning (IRE) 3-1 (9-5) Prominent, not clear run and lost place well over 2f out, soon switched right, no impression on leaders final furlong, 7th of 12, 17l behind Topiary Ted (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f sll (6) pol in Nov.
Queen's Echo 11-4fav (8-9) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, no extra from over 1f out, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Bijou Dan (8-10) at Ayr 1m 1f hcap (6) gs.
Komreyev Star 20-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, one pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 5l behind Bijou Dan (8-10) at Ayr 1m 1f hcap (6) gs.
