chased winner, ridden and every chance from 2f out, no extra towards finish
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, always behind
made all, ridden over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, ran on
It is difficult to evaluate the form of Baan's second behind the Godolphin newcomer True Cause at Nottingham last time but a reproduction of that, or his previous form when winning at Beverley, may be good enough for Mark Johnston's colt to get the better of main rivals Jamieson Gold and Zaal. The last mentioned has more experience than his rivals but is also more exposed and, on the balance of his form, Jamie Osborne's gelding would need to improve to trouble the selection. Georgia Jed has shown only a modicum of ability so far and of more interest may be the Barry Hills-trained Jamieson Gold, who was outclassed in the Acomb Stakes at York last time but is racing at a more realistic level now and has solid claims on previous form. Baan had looked potentially useful when making a winning debut and lost no caste in defeat last time behind what could be a decent juvenile so he gets the vote to resume winning ways.
Baan (USA) 11-8 (9-4) Led after 1f, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind True Cause (8-12) at Nottingham 1m nov stk (5) gs in Aug.
Jamieson Gold (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 8, 6l behind Palace Episode (8-13) at York 7f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Georgia Jed (IRE) 100-1 (8-11) Soon outpaced, always behind, last of 8, 19l behind Mullaad (9-0) at Chester 5f 2yo stk (2) gf in Jul.
Zaal 5-1 (9-6) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 8, 5l behind Humungous (9-5) at Lingfield 7f nov stk (5) pol in Aug.
