led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly in to stride, soon pushed along to track leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong
raced wide close up, went 2nd over 4f out, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, soon outpaced by winner
in rear but not far away, good head-way to track leaders 3f out, shaken up to lead 1f out, quickened clear, impressive
tracked leader untill over 4f out, remained close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
soon outpaced, ridden along and behind
keen early, held up in rear, ridden and outpaced 2f out
Banks And Braes has had a number of chances and still has a vulnerable profile and we would rather give UNDERSTORY a chance to atone for a disappointing debut, now stepped up in trip. The Mark Johnston-trained pick was sent off as the 11/10 favourite and beaten fully 17 lengths when introduced to the racecourse over 6f here last month. He ran very green that day, and can only come on for the experience, while the step up to a mile looks entirely in his favour, so we will side with him on this compensation mission. Banks And Braes drops in trip, having been runner-up over 10f here last time in a maiden. With a mark of 73 to his name, he sets the standard, though bettering that will not be too tough for anything with a bit of ability. Blues Music stayed on nicely over 7f at Wolverhampton on an otherwise quiet debut, and the Barry Hills-trained colt looks likely to get involved now also stepped up in trip. Whitley Bay has shown little so far and is probably one for handicaps, while £210,000 purchase Rebel Soldier is related to winners from 7f up to 1m 2f and merits a market check. Gumnd is nicely bred and should appreciate a mile, though he may want slower ground to be seen to best effect and Understory is given a second chance.
Banks And Braes 9-1 (9-3) Tracked winner, effort 2f out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Lovers Causeway (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Blues Music (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Slowly in to stride, tailed off and running green, ran on promisingly final furlong (better for race), 4th of 12, 10l behind Hacienda (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol.
Gumnd (IRE) 4-1 (9-3) Slowly away, held up, keen and went left 5f out, effort on wide outside over 2f out, soon hung left and beaten, 6th of 10, 6l behind Invincible Prince (9-3) at Kempton 7f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Jun.
Rebel Soldier (IRE) Danehill Dancer colt out of En Garde.
Understory (USA) 11-10fav (9-3) Slowly away, chased leaders, hard driven over 3f out, soon beaten, 3rd of 4, 17l behind Major Maximus (8-12) at Lingfield 6f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.
Whitley Bay (USA) 100-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, lost place over 2f out, soon hung left and beaten, 10th of 12, 10l behind Dream On Buddy (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 3yo mdn stks (5) pol.
Mack's Sister 50-1 (8-4) Towards rear, never in contention, 8th of 12, 11l behind Ginger Jack (8-9) at Kempton 1m mdn auc stks (5) pol.
