mid-division, ridden and weakened 4f out
mid-division, effort and headway 3f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leaders, chased leaders 3f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, headway 3f out, stayed on but not reach leaders
led, ridden approaching 3f out, soon headed and weakened
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders over 2f out, ran on to lead close home
always towards rear
in touch, led over 2f out, fading when headed close home
slowly into stride, always in rear
in rear and soon ridden along, stayed on from 1f out, not trouble leaders
slowly into stride, never a danger
held up in touch, headway 3f out, ridden over 1f out, every chance final furlong, no extra
tracked leader, led briefly 3f out, weakening when headed
dwelt and always in rear
Balerno is the pick over Sewmore Character, with Ryan's Bliss, Dagola and My Lilli best of the rest. Balerno is the only one to line up with a recent victory to his credit, and Roger Ingram's charge is taken to defy topweight. It has to be said that he did not beat much when easily having Escobar's measure over a mile here last time, but had things well sewn up a long way out, and could do no more than he did. Balerno is still not that badly handicapped, and although this will be the first time that he has raced over 10 furlongs since 2003, there are no doubts about his ability to get the trip. Sewmore Character meets the selection on slightly better terms than when third here seven days ago, but is not one to rely on at the best of times and is passed over again. Dagola and Ryan's Bliss were third and fourth to multiple winner Summarise last time, but that was in selling company, while My Lilli has one or two bits of form but was well held by the selection last time. With not a great deal to beat again, Balerno should prove to be the answer in the finale.
Balerno 5-1 (9-12) Well placed on inside, headway 2f out, went 2nd approaching final furlong, led just inside final furlong, driven out, won at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol beating Escobar (9-4) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Sachin 12-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, never troubled leaders, 10th of 12, 18l behind Wild Pitch (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f stk 0-60 (6) pol.
Dagola (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, stayed on but not reach leading pair, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Summerise (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) pol.
Charlie Kennet 12-1 (9-7) Took keen hold, headway after 3f, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 7th of 12, 12l behind Shush (9-8) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol.
Sewmore Character 14-1 (9-9) Slowly into stride, held up, headway over 1f out, chased leading pair inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Balerno (9-12) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol.
My Lilli (IRE) 9-2 (9-8) Always behind, 11th of 12, 24l behind Balerno (9-12) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol.
Ryan's Bliss (IRE) 12-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, led 2f out, weakened when approaching 1f out, 4th of 12, 9l behind Summerise (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f sll (6) pol.
Margery Daw (IRE) 7-1 (8-3) Soon towards rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on, never nearer, 6th of 12, 5l behind Fiveoclock Express (9-2) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (6) frm.
