chased leaders on outer, ridden over 4f out, soon lost place, tailed off
in touch, steadied 6f out, headway to chase leading pair over 3f out, driven to chase winner 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
mainly chased winner to 1f out, outpaced after
slowly away, just about in touch in rear when stumbled and unseated rider 5f out
steadied rear, headway and went poor 4th over 2f out, weakened final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon well behind, tailed off
behind, ridden over 3f out, soon struggling
made all, ridden 2f out, in command final furlong, stayed on well
behind most of way and never dangerous
chased leading pair, to over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened over 2f out
With Multakka returning from a lengthy break, preference is for Ballad Maker over Fair Sailing and Sister Act. Ballad Maker makes a fairly quick reappearance after making his debut at Nottingham just a week ago when he finished seventh to Northern Spy. He was slightly hampered when already beaten, but nevertheless it was an encouraging effort, and there does not seem much to be afraid of here. Fair Sailing looks the main danger as she has already shown that she can handle this type of surface with a staying on effort to finish fourth on her Wolverhampton bow. A half-sister to White Muzzle no less, she will be seen to better effect when put over middle-distances, but should make her presence felt here. On the White Muzzle theme, Multakka's dam is a half-sister to that top-class performer as well, and he takes a drop in grade, but it is asking a lot for him to be ready after being off since August last year. Sister Act and Split The Wind have both shown bits of form, but not enough to suggest that they can stop Ballad Maker from achieving his potential sooner rather than later.
Bright 33-1 (9-5) Always last, pushed along 4f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, tailed off, last of 6, 30l behind Bridgewater Boys (9-10) at Windsor 1m 4f sll (5) sft in Aug.
Multakka (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Towards rear, snatched after 1f, switched left 2f out, soon ridden, ran on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 15, 2 1/2l behind Dream Theme (8-6) at Goodwood 7f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Aug '06.
Ballad Maker (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden, staying on when hampered final furlong, 7th of 15, 11l behind Northern Spy (9-3) at Nottingham 1m mdn stk (5) gf.
North South Divide (IRE) Namid gelding out of Bush Rose.
Diamond World 20-1 (9-3) Behind most of way, 10th of 12, 10l behind Jools (8-12) at Kempton 7f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Ka'u Mauna Kea 66-1 (8-12) In touch until lost place halfway, last of 10, 21l behind Andmoreagain (8-12) at Newbury 7f mdn fll (5) gd in Aug.
Pure Velvet (IRE) 25-1 (8-12) Held up in mid-division, ridden and hung right from 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 14, 5l behind Power Ballad (8-12) at Kempton 1m mdn aut stk (6) pol in Sept.
Sister Act 11-2 (9-2) Mid to rear, ridden and some headway 2f out, not reach leaders, 5th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Russki (8-11) at Warwick 1m hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Split The Wind (USA) 9-2 (8-12) Chased leaders on outside, driven along, stayed on same pace, final 2f, 4th of 14, 3l behind Power Ballad (8-12) at Kempton 1m mdn aut stk (6) pol in Sept.
Thea di Bisanzio (IRE) 7-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, hung left inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 12, 4l behind Musaalem (9-3) at Warwick 7f mdn stk (5) gf in Aug.
Fair Sailing (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) In touch, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 13, 10l behind New World Order (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Sept.
