soon led, ridden and headed 4f out, weakened 3f out
mid-division, headway 2f out, challenged approaching final furlong, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
held up mid-division, switched right over 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong
prominent, joined leader over 3f out, ridden and every chance entering final furlong, unable to quicken near finish
slowly into stride, in rear, headway from 2f out, ridden and kept on, never near leaders
held up, mainly towards rear
mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, challenged and every chance entering final furlong, unable to quicken near finish
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened inside final furlong
close up, ridden 3f out, weakened entering final furlong
never on terms
tracked leader, led 4f out, joined over 3f out, soon ridden, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, soon headway 2f out, weakened final furlong
mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out
keen, held up, never on terms
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden and headway on outer from 2f out, kept on final furlong
always towards rear
Nonrunner
Blue Bajan can land this open handicap at the main expense of Tabadul, Charlie Tokyo, and Luberon. Only beaten a length in the Winter Derby a month ago, the selection has shown his best turf form over this trip and on this ground. His mark now back on the turf is 4lbs lower than on the all-weather and with Michael Hills on-board (2-4 on him), he looks the call. Luberon impressed when winning from the front in a steadily-run affair at Kempton although a 7lb higher mark means that he will need to have improved to play a hand today, whilst Tabadul was well-held in that race and will need to able to hold a handier pitch today. Charlie Tokyo, Benandonner and Lucayan Dancer all ran with credit at Pontefract (Charlie Tokyo was an easy winner) however this looks more competitive today. Impeller returns to the turf and has claims if back to his best, as does Gavroche who is slipping slowly down the weights. All in all this looks wide open and Blue Bajan is merely a tentative selection.
Luberon 16-1 (9-9) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, in command over 1f out, kept on strongly, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol beating Woolfall Blue (8-5) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Blue Bajan (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, headed well inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 3/4l behind Gentleman's Deal (9-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) pol in Mar.
Impeller (IRE) 9-1 (9-10) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 15, 6l behind Luberon (9-9) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Tabadul (IRE) 4-1fav (9-6) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 2f out, one pace and no impression on leaders final furlong, 5th of 15, 4l behind Luberon (9-9) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Counsel's Opinion (IRE) 7-1 (9-10) Dwelt, held up in rear, some headway over 2f out, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 5l behind Charlie Tokyo (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Zaif (IRE) 14-1 (8-0) Towards rear, effort and driven over 2f out, soon one pace, 7th of 15, 7l behind Peppertree Lane (8-13) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Oct.
Charlie Tokyo (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) In touch and keen, headway on inner well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd beating Along The Nile (9-1) by 2l, 11 ran.
Langford 20-1 (8-8) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, soon weakened, last of 7, 4 1/2l behind Mighty (8-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb.
Wovoka (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Keen, held up, always in rear, last of 6, 10l behind Steppe Dancer (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Pagan Sword 8-1 (8-7) Held up in touch, ridden to challenge over 1f out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 12, 5l behind Watamu (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar.
Benandonner (USA) 12-1 (8-4) Led early, chased leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 14, hd behind Robustian (8-5) at Pontefract 1m hcp 0-95 (3) gd.
Lucayan Dancer 7-1 (9-1) Tracked leader and keen, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Charlie Tokyo (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Red Lancer 50-1 (8-6) Held up, never dangerous, 10th of 13, 13l behind Counterpunch (8-7) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Oct.
Cactus King 15-2 (9-1) Held up in rear, shaken up over 1f out, ran on to lead and edged left at post, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Evident Pride (8-13) by a shd, 6 ran.
Art Modern (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, stayed on one pace final furlong, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Red Gala (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Fort Churchill (IRE) 15-2 (9-0) Held up, headway 2f out, hampered approaching final furlong, one pace, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Charlie Tokyo (9-2) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gd.
Regent's Secret (USA) 10-1 (8-5) Always behind, 9th of 12, 10l behind Stoic Leader (8-10) at Musselburgh 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Gavroche (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Always in rear, 18th of 20, 11l behind Pinpoint (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Sept.
