tracked leaders, weakened approaching final furlong
chased leaders, led 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, no chance with winner
in rear, smooth headway over 2f out, led 1f out, stayed on well
led and raced wide, headed 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, weakened well over 1f out
This looks to be an interesting nursery and it may pay to side with the in-form team of Fahey and Hanagan and plump for BALLODAIR ahead of Colonel Mak. A mark of 81 won't make life easy for the selection however this son of Antonius Pius seems to be progressing with every start and was a good winner at Thirsk last time. The form is yet to be given the chance to be franked with only one horse running since, however the horse in second was a well-fancied Mark Johnston newcomer and the fifth had shown plenty of promise in two previous runs so it looks solid enough. Maison Brillet has not been seen since an Ayr win in May but his trainer is canny so watch the betting, whilst Mark Johnston has a good record at the track and won this race in 2004 with Adaptation. He relies on Baileys Vision today, a Kyllachy filly who drops in class. She was well-held in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot but her handicap mark has not suffered and although she has ground to make up on Maison Brillet on their Ayr run, she must be of interest today now 2lb better at the weights. Weetentherty was also in that Ayr race but he was beaten by seven lengths and has a bit to prove, despite having the potential to improve off this opening mark of 60. Colonel Mak is a course and distance winner and he lost little caste in defeat at Pontefract last time; he sweated up before the start which he hadn't done before and should gain recompense sooner rather than later. A top contest for the track, and the narrow vote is given to Ballodair.
Maison Brillet (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Made most, ridden entering final furlong, stayed on well under pressure, won at Ayr 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in May beating Baileys Vision (8-12) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Ballodair (IRE) 15-8fav (9-3) In touch, led halfway, driven and kept on under pressure final furlong, won at Thirsk 6f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Jun beating Call To Arms (9-3) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Colonel Mak 11-4fav (9-4) Held up in touch, ridden 2f out, led approaching final furlong, headed final strides, 2nd of 8, nk behind Take It To The Max (9-4) at Pontefract 6f 2yo hcp (4) gs.
Baileys Vision 50-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders stands' side to over 3f out, soon weakened, 14th of 22, 17l behind Habaayib (8-12) at Royal Ascot 6f 2yo fll Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Weetentherty 50-1 (9-3) Pushed along towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 8l behind Maison Brillet (9-3) at Ayr 6f 2yo mdn (4) gd in May.
