held up mid-division, stayed on steadily from over 1f out, nearest finish
in touch until weakened from 2f out
held up behind, ridden 3f out, no progress and outpaced from 2f out
towards rear, headway from 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish
soon chased leader, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, ridden to chase leader 2f out, effort over 1f out, kept on to take 2nd close home
slowly into stride, outpaced in rear, never a factor
held up, headway to chase leaders 3f out, not quicken 2f out, soon one pace
led until headed over 1f out, no extra and lost 2nd close home
prominent early, behind after 2 furlongs, headway over 1f out, kept on, not trouble leaders
started slowly, towards rear, ridden 3f out, never troubled leaders
tracked leaders, shaken up to lead over 1f out, drew clear inside final furlong, driven out
always outpaced in rear
Le Singe Noir gets the vote in this maiden with Follow The Flag and Bertie Swift rating the main dangers. The selection was a good second behind Genuine Call last time out, that form looks rock solid in the context of this race and with improvement likely he looks the one to be on. Follow The Flag rates the main danger on his best form but he has had plenty of chances and is becoming expensive to follow so he is taken on. Bertie Swift is another that could go well on his latest second behind Go On Green but the suspicion is he will be seen to better effect over a longer trip. Of the remainder Racing Times is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but for the winner we return to Le Singe Noir who looks sure to progress.
Everygrainofsand (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Raced along far side, well on terms, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 11l behind Thabaat (8-11) at Folkestone 7f mdn stk (5) gd.
Bertie Swift 7-4fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, slightly hampered on bend over 3f out, ridden and outpaced 2f out, switched right over 1f out and ran on strongly final furlong, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Go On Green (9-3) at W'hampton 6f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Feb.
Distiller (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on again from over 1f out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 15, 6l behind Our Herbie (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Sept.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Led after 1f, pressed over 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra, lost 2 places near finish, 5th of 11, 2l behind Convivial Spirit (9-1) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Le Singe Noir 5-2 (9-3) In touch, effort 2f out, chased winner on inside final furlong, no real impression, kept on, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Genuine Call (8-12) at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Oct.
Mutual Friend (USA) 66-1 (9-0) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace, 9th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Mr Napper Tandy (9-0) at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Obstructive 16-1 (9-3) Led until ridden and headed over 1f out, soon faded, 10th of 12, 12l behind Salient (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Sept.
Racing Times 4-1fav (9-3) In rear, plenty to do 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Tifernati (9-3) at Kempton 6f 3yo mdn (4) pol in Mar.
