led, pressed, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, weakened final furlong
held up in last pair, effort on outside 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not pace to reach front pair
held up in last pair, pushed along 3f out, no impression final 2f
soon chased leader, ridden to challenge 2f out, led approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, weakened
chased leaders in 4th, pushed along to chase leading pair over 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, driven, strong challenge near finish, just held
took keen hold, in touch on inner, quickened to lead between horses inside final furlong, strongly pressed, held on gamely near finish
Eddie Ahern will be riding quite a few of the John Hills trained runners this summer and he can land this decent prize aboard Dark Islander. Orchard Supreme and Easy Air could be the main rivals. Dark Islander was a solid performer last season and returned to the track with an excellent second behind Saville Road in a conditions race at Newmarket. The trainer though he would need that run and so with improvement expected he should be capable of landing this event. Easy Air won his first two races in good style, both here at Lingfield. He didn't fair too badly at Chester last time out and back on the all-weather he must be a threat to all. Orchard Supreme has also been successful here on two occasions and although advancing up the weights he should be capable of making the frame. In a wide open contest Dingaan and Total Impact are also given a squeak, but Dark Islander is expected to step up on his seasonal debut and he gets our vote.
Dingaan (IRE) 16-1 (8-5) Steadied in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, driven and ran on to lead close home, won at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) pol beating Advanced (9-3) by a nk, 11 ran.
Dark Islander (IRE) 9-2 (8-12) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed and no extra at closing stages, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Saville Road (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 3yo stk (4) gf in Apr.
Secret Night 16-1 (8-5) In touch, driven to challenge over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not pace of front pair, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Dingaan (8-5) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Total Impact 12-1 (8-4) Chased leaders, ridden and close up over 1f out, soon one pace and no impression final furlong, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Dingaan (8-5) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) pol.
Charlton 14-1 (9-4) Held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 15th of 16, 14l behind Archerfield Links (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (3) pol in Apr.
Easy Air 11-8fav (8-10) Held up, headway over 1f out, soon ridden, unable to quicken, 4th of 6, 2l behind Song of Passion (8-5) at Chester 1m 3yo hcp (2) gs.
Orchard Supreme 11-2 (9-4) Rear, still last and plenty to do 2f out, switched to outside and good headway final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 12, 2l behind Namid Reprobate (9-3) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
