Racecards
15:00 Bath
Bbc Radio Bristol Maiden Handicap (Class E)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 1m 3f 144y
- Going: Firm (Hard Patches on East Bend)
- Form 035
- Age 3
- Weight 9-7
- Trainer P & O Cole
- Jockey Dane O'Neill
with leader, led 6f out, headed well over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
- Form 55-022
- Age 3
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer E A L Dunlop
- Jockey Kieren Fallon
led at steady pace, headed 6f out, prominent, led well over 2f out, soon ridden and headed, one pace final furlong
- Form 203052
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer R Hannon
- Jockey Richard Hughes
held up behind, smooth headway from 2f out to lead just inside final furlong, ran on well, readily
- Form 0-00
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer J Toller
- Jockey S Whitworth
held up behind and never dangerous
- Form 0-60540
- Age 3
- Weight 8-9
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey M Dwyer
held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
- Form 06-0
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
- Trainer D W P Arbuthnot
- Jockey S Sanders
tracked leaders, led inside 2f out, soon ridden, headed just inside 1f out, one pace
- Form 66-6440
- Age 3
- Weight 8-2
- Trainer D Coakley
- Jockey J F McDonald
tracked leaders, ridden well over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong
- Form 00-0060
- Age 3
- Weight 7-12
- Trainer Mrs P Dutfield
- Jockey R Thomas
held up, headway over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
- Form 06-0500
- Age 3
- Weight 7-12
- Trainer J O'Shea
- Jockey J Bramhill
in touch, headway 6f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
- Form 000000
- Age 3
- Weight 7-12
- Trainer J R Boyle
- Jockey Lisa Jones
dwelt, in touch until 3f out, soon behind
In depth
Verdict
Many ifs and buts about the runners exist but Midnight Song, Nominate and Laggan Bay look to be the ones against the field. Ed Dunlop's charge has looked likely to take a handicap in the near future for quite some time and certainly did not disgrace himself behind subsequent winner, Coat of Honour at Pontefract. A second to Rebate was to follow soon after but today's step up to an extended eleven furlongs is not sure to suit as his sire tends to produce more winners over significantly shorter trips than today. Nominate is owned by a very shrewd group of owners and they rarely buy horses of moderate ability. A third to Strategy at Warwick looks good on paper but there were some very slow horses behind. Paul Cole's yard are in good form at the moment and it wouldn't be the biggest surprise if more improvement were found today. We prefer to side with Laggan Bay. He has become frustrating to follow but he has fewer questions than most to answer. He stays the trip has form on the ground and hails from a yard that are sending out winners. He was held when finishing second to Anticipating at Salisbury last week but is probably better judged on a fifth to the useful Trouble At Bay at Newbury a couple of weeks previously. Through that logic, Andrew Balding should know what is required to beat him but Marabello doesn't look any great shakes. Peak Park catches the eye from the James Toller stable. His handicapped runs cane over significantly shorter than this and today's race represents a massive step up in trip. Any market confidence should not be ignored. In conclusion, this is a tricky handicap with many holding both positive and negative points. Laggan Bay has proved difficult to win with but he has fewer questions than most to answer and we shall give him the narrow vote here.