After victories at Brighton and Newmarket last September, the progressive Rastrelli took his chance in a Listed race on his final start. George Wood has ridden the Godolphin gelding before and his mount is much respected. But Mark Johnston is mob-handed in this valuable handicap and two of his trio, Lynwood Gold and Baghdad, won on their final start on 2017. Silvestre De Sousa rides BAILEYS EXCELERATE, however, and the grey looks sure to be suited by this step up in trip as a three-year-old. A winner at Beverley in August, he was later second at Kempton and Nottingham and should have more to offer this term. Aiya has won both starts this year on the all-weather and Yabass, Jackfinbar and Billy Ray are others with decent claims.
Lynwood Gold (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ridden and ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 1f (4) gf in Oct beating Simpson (9-5) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Rastrelli (FR) 13-2 (9-2) Raced stands side, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 8l behind Kew Gardens (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 2f lst stks (1) gd in Oct.
Baileys Excelerate (FR) 6-1 (9-5) Led, pushed along over 2f out, soon hard pressed, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Ship Of The Fen (8-9) at Nottingham 1m 1f (3) gs in Oct.
Yabass (IRE) 7-4 (9-6) Keen tracked leader, ridden to lead entering final furlong, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Night Story (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 4f stks (5) pol in Mar.
Aiya (IRE) 11-10fav (9-8) Raced keenly, led, headed after 2f, tracked leader, driven over 1f out, led again inside final furlong, soon ridden and hard pressed, just held on, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Feb beating Sotomayor (8-11) by hd, 6 ran.
Jackfinbar (FR) 7-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, not quicken 1f out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 9, 2l behind Galactic Spirit (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (5) pol in Feb.
Baghdad (FR) 7-4fav (9-6) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on well, won at Chelmsford City 1m 2f (5) pol in Nov beating Rustang (9-1) by 2l, 8 ran.
Billy Ray 33-1 (9-2) Held up, wide and headway over 2f out, stayed on to go 2nd inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Bowditch (9-9) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (5) pol in Mar.
Betjeman 28-1 (8-9) Tracked leader, led 3f out, headed 2f out, kept on same pace approaching final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3 1/4l behind Silchester (8-9) at Southwell 1m stks (5) pol in Feb.
