prominent, led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final 100 yards
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, one pace and no impression
led 1f, prominent, ridden 2f out, being leant on by rival from over 1f out, soon not clear and switched left, stayed on, no impression on winner
held up in last, ridden and hung left over 1f out, kept on final 100 yards, nearest finish
prominent, went 2nd 11f out, challenged over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly
held up in touch, effort over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, stayed on same pace final 100 yards
Three Bards showed plenty of resolution in posting a second victory on Southwell's Fibresand and if able to translate that form to Polytrack, Mark Johnston's raider has to be treated with the utmost respect. Frankie Dettori doesn't appear at too many minor cards these days so his presence aboard MIZBAH is enough to steer us towards the gelding. Last year's Folkestone maiden winner wasn't too far away at Wolverhampton when there was some quiet confidence about him in the market and compensation awaits. Palus San Marco was beaten in a Nottingham maiden by a subsequent scorer off 82 but was able to make amends at Brighton last time despite a sizeable absence though Arch Villain has failed to build upon an impressive success at Kempton. Dont Take Me Alive may have been easy to back at Folkestone on a recent outing on soft ground but he comfortably had the measure of his field.
Hallmark Star 13-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Marshgate Lane (9-3) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) sft.
Palus San Marco (IRE) 7-4 (9-1) Tracked leading trio, headway centre 3f out, driven to challenge over 1f out, upsides and hung left inside finalf urlong, stayed on to lead last strides, won at Brighton 1m 2f mdn stks (5) sft beating Kampai (9-4) by hd, 7 ran.
Three Bards (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Headway to track leader 9f out, led 8f out, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and ran on erratically left and right final 2f, won at Southwell 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating News Show (9-0) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Mizbah 6-1 (8-12) Bumped start, held up in last, headway over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, ridden and hung left in behind winner, straightened up and kept on, not get there, 2nd of 9, nk behind Enery (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Arch Villain (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) Held up in 4th place 5 lengths of leader, closed over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression on winner final 2f, 3rd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Hyperlink (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo stk 0-75 (5) gs in Jun.
Dont Take Me Alive 13-2 (9-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden to lead inside final furlong, kept on, won at Folkestone 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Petaluma (9-7) by 1l, 5 ran.
