tracked leaders, hit 4 out, headway to lead approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon one pace
always towards rear, beaten when blundered and lost action 3 out, soon pulled up
mid-division, close up approaching 3 out, weakening when blundered 2 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next
mid-division, smooth headway to lead approaching 2 out, driven out
tracked leader, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, weakened from 4 out
always towards rear
towards rear, ridden and lost touch from 8th, pulled up before 3 out
Balyan gets the confident vote in the opener with Brave Rebellion and Noriot rated as the main dangers. The selection finished down the field in the Cumberland Plate last time out but this is significantly easier and on the pick of his form he should take plenty of beating. The fact that his yard are in decent form is another plus. Brave Rebellion has had a couple of runs over the bigger obstacles but he fell when reverting to hurdles last time and although he is entitled to go close if he runs up to his best we are happy to pass him over. Noriot has got some fair bumper form and he made a pleasing debut when finishing third behind First Cry at Sedgefield. He should come on for the experience and with nominal improvement he should be capable of claiming some place money. Sonic Anthem is an interesting newcomer from the Pat Haslam yard and is worth noting in the market but for the winner we are happy to stick with Balyan.
Balyan (IRE) 5-2fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway, in touch when blundered badly 3 out, not recover and pulled up 2 out in race won by Stagecoach Diamond (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb, 12 ran.
Bay Swift (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Raced keenly and held up in rear, some headway 4 out, outpaced next, soon weakened, 6th of 12, well behind Pass It On (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Brave Rebellion 11-4 (10-12) Raced in 3rd place, ridden to chase winner 4 out, beaten when fell at the last in race won by Kanpai (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (3) gf in Oct, 4 ran.
El Chaparral (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Took keen hold, soon chasing leaders, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 19, 22l behind Eleazar (10-12) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Escayola (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Chased winner, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 12, 9l behind Queen Soraya (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gd in Apr '05.
Howards Rocket 200-1 (10-12) Held up, effort 4 out, never dangerous, 12th of 15, well behind Orpen Wide (11-1) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Noriot (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, reminders 5th, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, kept on last, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 10, 11l behind First Cry (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Sonic Anthem (USA) 20-1 (8-12) Held up behind leaders, ridden 2f out, hampered over 1f out, no extra final furlong, 10th of 18, 9l behind Commitment Lecture (9-11) at Thirsk 1m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Apr (Flat).
