held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on, no impression
held up mid-division on inside, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
whipped around at start and refused to race
held up in touch, tracked leaders over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, no impression final furlong
made all, drew clear from over 1f out, stayed on strongly
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 6f out, no impression final 2f
tracked leaders and keen, took closer order after 5f, weakened 5f out
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, chased winner over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on and no impression
held up in rear, ridden and weakened over 4f out
In the hope that better ground sparks improvement, JOHANN SABESTIAN is a speculative selection ahead of Moufatango and Call Me Bill, although the market may prove our best guide. Jonjo O'Neill's charge was well backed before disappointing at Plumpton last time. That came over 2m2f and our hope is this step back to two miles and better ground can see him deliver at the third time of asking; he's a half-brother to Arctic Spectacle, whose best efforts came under these conditions. Peter Bowen has his string in great order so Call Me Bill must be considered. In truth he's achieved more than our pick so far with consecutive second placed finishes at Sedgefield and Perth. He's beginning to look exposed but this isn't the strongest of contests and if he runs to the level of form he's displayed so far then he won't be too far away. Moufatango is the other with persuasive form claims having taken third on his debut. Nicky Richards' horses tend to improve with racing and the way this one pulled clear of the fourth horse that day suggested normal improvement would see him figure next time, although he did get outpaced before staying on and these conditions may place too much emphasis on speed. Sue Smith is capable of landing this type of contest and the market will help separate her pair; at this stage Fill The Power makes more appeal than Alta Rock but both are making their debuts. Ontario Lass may want further than this in time and can be opposed whilst First Watch is out of an unraced dam and his half brother won over three miles. As such this may prove too sharp a test on his debut and we therefore return to Johann Sabestian.
Darkan Road 7-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, outpaced 4f out, soon weakened, 13th of 17, well behind Nuts N Bolts (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
First Watch Midnight Legend horse out of My French Willow.
Johann Sabestian (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Close up, driven along in 4th over 4f out, one pace final 2f, 4th of 14, 23l behind Dusky Bob (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn NH flat (6) gs in Feb.
Wicked Streak (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) Mid-division, chased leaders over 4f out, no impression 2f out, 3rd of 14, 29l behind Our Mick (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cond & am NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Call Me Bill (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Always prominent on outside, challenged 5f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on until no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Lovey Dovey (10-11) at Perth 2m NH flat (6) gs in May.
Moufatango (FR) 28-1 (10-9) Mid-division, pushed along over 5f out, headway over 3f out, went 2nd 2f out, ridden over 1f out, dropped to 3rd and one pace from 1f out, 3rd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Kasbadali (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in May.
Silverwort Lujain gelding out of Cryptogam.
Minden March 40-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, driven and outpaced 5f out, weakened over 2f out, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Lovey Dovey (10-11) at Perth 2m NH flat (6) gs in May.
Thornton Alice Kayf Tara mare out of Lindrick Lady.
Bonnie Baloo 33-1 (10-1) Held up, never dangerous, 12th of 14, well behind The Strawberry One (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f N H flat (6) gd in Apr.
Alta Rock (IRE) Luso gelding out of Princess Lulu.
Monty's Fortune 16-1 (11-7) in a race won by Sharmon (12-0) at Easingwold 3m ptp gd in May, 9 ran.
Charles Magnes (FR) Spadoun gelding out of Madame Johann.
Fill The Power (IRE) Subtle Power gelding out of Our Alma.
Ontario Lass (IRE) Bach filly out of Reoss.
