tracked leading pair, ridden 3f out, no impression final furlong
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
dwelt, pushed along to chase leaders after 2f, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up in rear, ran wide into straight over 2f out, never a factor
pushed along to dispute lead with winner after 1f, ridden over 2f out, gained narrow lead inside final furlong, headed post
raced wide in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway final furlong, never nearer
led, joined after 1f, ridden 2f out, headed narrowly inside final furlong, rallied to lead again post
soon pushed along in rear, ridden and stayed on inside final furlong
MAGIC OMEN is going to be very tough to beat here and gets our confident vote from Bajan Flash and Danceintothelight. Mark Johnston's three-year-old has shown distinct promise in two starts at Lingfield having found just the one too good on each occasion. The second of those efforts has been franked by the subsequent impressive victory for Aetos, who was back in third, and connections can have no complaints over the draw having landed stall one. He gets the vote from Bajan Flash who himself made a highly encouraging debut last time. Brian Smart's colt shaped as though in need of the experience in running very green and should do better now upped in trip, despite the fact he's a son of Bahamian Bounty and therefore bred to sprint. Danceintothelight is the second best of those with a rating according to the handicapper and this gelding could improve now dropped in trip as he's been keen of late, although along with Transmit he sets a standard that isn't particularly impressive. The last-named is officially rated 72 and therefore should be the one to beat but he looked ill at ease here last time and can do better in handicaps at a more conventional track. Fallon is an interesting booking for Hail Bold Chief but this may be a bit sharp whilst his stablemate Shayla ran into a smart one last time but still needs to find more. Magic Omen has been slightly unfortunate not to score already but this may well be his day.
Bajan Flash 12-1 (8-13) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on to go 3rd post, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Skyfire (8-13) at Musselburgh 7f mdn stks (5) gs.
Danceintothelight 10-3 (8-11) Soon led, ridden and headed just over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 10, 12l behind Bear Tobouggie (8-6) at Redcar 1m 1f mdn stks (5) sft.
Hail Bold Chief (USA) 8-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, no extra and lost 2 places inside final furlong, 5th of 13, 7l behind Psychic Ability (9-0) at Nottingham 1m mdn stks (4) gd in Oct.
Hong Kong Island (IRE) 50-1 (8-13) Mainly in rear, 7th of 8, 19l behind Skyfire (8-13) at Musselburgh 7f mdn stks (5) gs.
Magic Omen (USA) 5-2 (9-3) Led 1f, remained prominent, driven to challenge over 1f out, ran on strongly, not reached winner, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Shamir (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Mar.
Mercers Row 7-2 (9-3) In touch, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 11, 10l behind Amitola (8-12) at Ayr 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Oct.
Transmit (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, headway on outside 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, just held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Johannesgray (8-13) at Catterick 6f mdn stks (5) gs.
Shayla 25-1 (9-0) Held up, ridden 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 10, 9l behind Deirdre (9-0) at Newcastle 1m 2yo stks (5) gs in Oct.
