mid-division, headway 7f out, challenged and edged left over 2f out, not quicken, no extra inside final furlong
chased leading pair, led going well over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, soon ridden, not quicken
mid-division, headway 7f out, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
led, soon clear, reduced advantage 7f out, headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
mid-division, lost touch 8f out, tailed off
always behind, green and lost touch 8f out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway over 6f out, edged left and weakened over 1f out
chased clear leader, lost 2nd 3f out, soon not much room and ran green, beaten after
held up in rear, headway over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, headway over 6f out, soon niggled along, slighty outpaced 4f out, switched left and picked up over 2f out, led just over 1f out, ran on well
held up in rear, effort over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
This race looks booked for a newcomer and BARTHELEMY is our suggestion ahead of Beck's Bolero and Basford Tara. Featherbed Lane is reportedly held in some regard but has something to prove in terms of what we've seen whilst Francesa failed to justify favouritism in a mares' bumper at Fakenham that lacked strength in depth. The selection failed to complete in either start in Irish points but has no obstacles to negotiate today and represents a yard with a near one in three strike rate in bumpers at the track. Evan Williams also sends out plenty of winners at this venue and he introduces an interesting flat bred gelding who twice fetched in excess of 50,000 in the sales but was knocked down for just 5,000 guineas in May. It will be interesting to see if the market suggests that he can call the tune. Basford Tara is related to a number of winners, including the useful Bonchester Bridge, so makes plenty of appeal on paper and needs a market check as do all the newcomers but it would be no surprise to see Barthelemy lead them home.
Barthelemy 7-1 (12-0) Chsd ldrs until 3rd when fell hvly 8th, in a race won by Boston Bob (12-0) at Tallow 3m ire ptp sft in Feb, 12 ran.
Featherbed Lane (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 11l behind Owen Glendower (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f NH flat (5) sft in Dec.
Rabbitkettle Lake (IRE) Double Eclipse gelding out of Nahanni Gift.
Tram Express (FR) 66-1 (11-4) Prominent until ridden and weakened 5f out, tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Quideo De Touzaine (11-4) at Stratford 2m mdn NH flat (5) gs in Mar '09.
Yarlington Mill Fleetwood gelding out of Dominant Duchess.
Basford Tara Kayf Tara mare out of Cabriole Legs.
Beck's Bolero (IRE) Haafhd gelding out of Prealpina.
Francesa 2-1fav (11-2) Set steady pace, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened 2f out, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Chicklemix (10-4) at Fakenham 2m mrs N H flat (4) gs in Feb.
Kayfton Pete Kayf Tara colt out of Jonchee.
Big Time Billy (IRE) Definite Article filly out of Zaratu.
Singapore Harbour (IRE) Beneficial filly out of Nanja Monja.
