held up in touch and keen, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders and keen, weakened 3f out
tracked leaders, weakened 2f out
made all, ridden clear over 2f out, eased towards finish
tracked winner, pushed along over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, beat 2f out
tracked leaders for 3f, soon lost place, tailed off and pulled up halfway
held up, ridden and headway for 3f out, no impression final 2f
held up, outpaced over 5f out, ridden and headway over 3f out, kept on, no impression final 2f
This looks to involve just Baie des Flamands, Viz and Letham Spiel, with the vote going to Letham Spiel. In a race where it might pay to heed the betting, Letham Spiel, who catches the eye on pedigree, might be able to score at the first time of asking. With Sir Mark Prescott's horses running so well, Viz, who is a likeably-bred daughter of Darshaan, is entitled to plenty of respect also on her debut. Baie des Flamands has yet to live up to his $400,000 price tag but he did, at least, take a step in the right direction last time when second in a five-runner affair at Pontefract. However, that form rates in the mid-60s so Letham Spiel or Viz would not have to be exceptional to score. Best of the others can prove to be Sea Kestrel, another Mark Johnston runner, who might improve for the application of blinkers. Overall, though, the vote goes to Letham Spiel.
Red Lantern 100-1 (9-7) Promnent to halfway, tailed off final 2f, last of 9, well behind World Series (8-12) at Folkestone 7f mdn aut stk (6) gf in Jun.
Steel Grey 100-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, always behind, 11th of 14, 36l behind Call Me Max (8-11) at Beverley 7f mdn stk (5) gf in Jun.
The Loose Screw (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, no impression, 9th of 14, 6l behind Golden Spectrum (10-1) at Hamilton 1m sll (5) gd in Jun.
Mawdsley 66-1 (8-3) Prominent, chased leader 6f out until over 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Katiypour (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 4f clm (F) fbs in Jun '03.
Baie des Flamands (USA) 9-2 (9-0) Tracked leader, driven along over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Takafu (9-0) at Pontefract 1m 2f 3yo mdn (4) gf in Jul.
Letham Spiel Singspiel colt, half-brother to four winners from 7f to 1m2f.
Sea Kestrel (USA) 16-1 (9-0) Led until well over 1f out, weaken inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 6l behind Self Respect (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (D3) pol in Jan.
Thornton Tara 50-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride and always behind, last of 8, 27l behind Kudbeme (8-11) at York 7f 3yo mdn fll (4) gd in Jul.
Viz (IRE) Darshaan filly, half-sister to winners on the Flat and over hurdles.
