prominent, ridden 3f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
led, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon weakened
soon tracking leader, led over 3f out, ridden and headed final furlong, weakened close home
mid-division, went prominent 3f out, ridden and ran on well inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway 5f out, soon weakened
in rear, headway after 3f, ridden over 2f out, no imprerssion
held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, not quicken over 1f out
in rear, headway 4f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out
towards rear, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
always towards rear
slow away, soon in touch, ridden and weakened 4f out
slowly into stride, headway after 3f, ridden 6f out, soon weakened
A trappy maiden to begin the Bank Holiday card, but it should rest between Albanov, Bendarshaan and Skibereen, with the latter just preferred. John Dunlop's Albanov has remained consistent, having been placed in its last five starts, and possibly met a good sort when second at Brighton last week. The Sadler's Wells colt does, however, seem very one-paced and willl almost certainly be seen to better light when stepped up in trip, so is just passed over here. Ed Dunlop's Bendarshaan has been placed in all three starts so far, and was possibly a shade unlucky when beaten in a three-way photo at Yarmouth last time, as he was held up slightly in his run. He clearly stays this trip well and would appear to have solid claims, but we just prefer John Gosden's Skibereen, who may just have a bit more scope than his main rivals. The Ashkalani colt stepped up on his sole juvenile form when second to the useful Gondolin on his reappearance at Windsor. He did not get the best of runs that day, but was not knocked about unduly as he stayed on nicely inside the final furlong, and with this slightly longer trip almost certain to be in his favour, we take Skibereen to get off the mark here under Darryll Holland.
