mid-division, ridden and headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, edged right and headed well inside final furlong, not quicken
held up, ridden and headway over 3f out, edged left and led well inside final furlong, driven out
reminders soon after start, ran in snatches, chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, not clear run and switched right inside final furlong, stayed on
led 2f, chased leader to 4f out, outpaced over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened when not much room 2f out, soon eased
in touch, ridden over 2f out, every chance 1f out, no extra towards finish
held up, ridden and headway 1f out, one pace final furlong
This is not a strong race with Behlaya given the vote ahead of Lake Wakatipu. Behlaya ran pretty well on his British debut last time when upped to this trip for the first time and he has to be considered today based on his best Irish efforts. Merrymaker is edging back towards a more realistic mark but his stable won this contest last year with Turner, who now races from three pounds below the mark of that winning effort, so he has to be considered although all efforts since that win leave something to be desired. Winning hurdler Almah turned up in a 12-furlong Salisbury handicap last time and did not run too badly, so his chance cannot be dismissed, while Red Sun needs a career best on Turf from today's mark, while Openide gave out some cause for Flat hope at Warwick last time. Although seemingly rejuvenate by his new surroundings over hurdles, Glimmer Of Light did not quite show enough on the Flat at Haydock last time to be strongly fancied, and Lake Wakatipu won well enough in an amateurs' event last time to be afforded some kind of a chance today. Overall, though, we will give the vote to Behlaya.
Behlaya (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) Mid-division, pushed along and lost place over 5f out, effort when not much room over 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Mister Arjay (8-6) at Newcastle 2m hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Merrymaker 22-1 (8-5) Always towards rear, 8th of 10, 12l behind Greenwich Meantime (9-2) at Ayr 1m 5f hcap (3) gd in Jun.
Almah (SAF) 12-1 (9-1) Pushed along to lead, soon clear, ridden over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Sunisa (9-2) at Salisbury 1m 4f fll hcp (4) gs in May.
Red Sun 10-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 10, 15l behind Bid For Fame (10-12) at Southwell 2m amt hcp (5) fbs in Feb.
Openide 10-1 (10-0) Led after 1f to over 6f out, ridden over 5f out, outpaced over 3f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 8, 5l behind Raslan (9-9) at Warwick 2m hcap (5) gd.
Glimmer of Light (IRE) 11-1 (8-7) Always behind, last of 9, 39l behind Nobelix (9-4) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Lake Wakatipu 7-1 (9-13) Soon chasing leaders, ridden to lead over 2f out, driven out, won at Hamilton 1m 5f ldy rds hcp (6) gf in Jun beating Front Rank (10-3) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Turner 10-1 (8-8) Held up, ridden and effort 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 19l behind Raslan (8-10) at Warwick 2m hcp 0-80 (4) frm.
