held up rear, headway approaching 2f out, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead line
tracked leaders, headway to join leaders 4f out, ridden, every chance 1f out, faded
in touch, driven over 2f out, switched left and kept on from over 1f out
prominent, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
soon led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
soon in touch, lost place 4f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch, ridden over 1f out, led inside final furlong, edged right, headed line
towards rear, ridden, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong
tracked leaders, keen, driven 4f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent, ridden, weakened over 2f out
Layazaal can defy topweight in the opener, with Night Crecendo, High Command and Tumblweed Glory likely to be his nearest pursuers. John Dunlop is always a force to be reckoned with at his local track, and in Layazaal he appears to have the ammunition to add yet another winner to the list. The son of Mujadil was the stable's first two-year-old winner of the 2005 season but has failed to add to that sole success in five subsequent outings. However, he has twice finished behind Alan King's best Flat horse Levera at Newmarket this term, on the most recent occasion 18 days ago getting within a neck despite being slightly hampered near the finish. That was on soft ground so he will have no problem handling today's underfoot conditions, and although there is a doubt about him staying nine furlongs on breeding, he has shaped as though the trip will suit. He faces a stiff challenge from Night Crescendo, whose trainer Amanda Perrett is now in form, so he will be a popular choice as well. John's son Ed saddles High Command who stayed on well behind the progressive Pearly King at Newbury last Saturday. He may just struggle back in trip though, while Tumbleweed Glory has a race in him but needs to improve. Mick Channon did have Bin Rahy entered up but relies instead on Airbuss who has not shown enough to warrant strong support, and we are happy to side with Layazaal.
Layazaal (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Raced centre, chased winner, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on well, 2nd of 9, nk behind Levera (9-2) at Newmarket 7f 3yo hcp (2) sft.
Champions Gallery 4-1 (9-2) Held up, ridden over 1f out, no impression, 5th of 6, 5l behind Song of Passion (8-5) at Chester 1m 3yo hcp (2) gs.
Night Crescendo (USA) 5-1 (8-13) Held up, headway 2f out, chased leader over 1f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, held on well, won at Newbury 1m 3yo hcp (3) gd in Apr beating Acheekyone (8-8) by a nk, 11 ran.
High Command 4-1jt-fav (9-1) Held up, outpaced over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out, switched left over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 15, 2l behind Pearly King (9-2) at Newbury 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-105 (2) sft.
Punta Galera (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Led stand side pair, well on terms until weakened over 1f out, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Winged Cupid (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2yo stk (3) gf in Sept.
Fiddlers Wood 20-1 (9-0) Dwelt, pushed up to join leader after 2f, ridden 3f out, soon weakened, last of 5, 19l behind Championship Point (9-3) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo lst stk (1) gd.
Multakka (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Raced wide in touch, ridden and hung right over 2f out, driven and stayed on inside final furlong, finished well, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Namid Reprobate (9-3) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Airbuss (IRE) 4-1 (8-9) Keen, chased leader until 6f out, remained prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 7l behind Stage Gift (9-0) at Yarmouth 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gf.
Tumbleweed Glory (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, upsides from 3f out, every chance over 1f out, unable to quicken and lost 2nd final 100 yards, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Linas Selection (9-4) at Sandown 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Blu Manruna 20-1 (8-5) Prominent, effort over 1f out, stayed on, not reach leaders, 4th of 13, 1l behind Sands of Barra (8-11) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (5) pol in Dec.
