held up mid-division, headway 5th, went 2nd 3 out, led going well after next, soon clear easily
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, soon one pace, no impression on leaders
held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression
chased leader to 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
in touch, blundered and lost place 1st, behind when pulled up before 2 out
led and soon clear, ridden and headed before 2 out, stayed on same pace under pressure last, no chance with winner
in touch, hit 4th and next, soon lost place, tailed off from 2 out
Rajam looks the solid formbook choice on what we have seen with Zaffre and Given A Chance as the most plausible alternatives. Officially rated 112, he won a race at Perth with the improvement put down to the application of first time cheekpieces. He had form on fast ground on the level so there should be few problems on account of the prevailing conditions. The form of Buena Vista earlier in the afternoon should give an indication of where Zaffre should be, in that he finished nine lengths behind him at Stratford. Given A Chance has been found out on a number of occasions and there is the suspicion that his rating of 97 might be none-too-lenient. Durba is bred very much in the flat sphere and makes a debut for Richard Guest. Previously he had been campaigned over a mile or thereabouts in Australia. Drumossie was similarly bought by Guest but was well held by our selection on their most recent meeting. Repent At Leisure is a third Guest entry but is very exposed already in banded stakes grade. Not a hot contest by any stretch of the imagination and we side with the obvious here in Rajam.
Rajam 11-2 (10-5) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead 2 out, soon clear, won at Perth 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Jun beating Va Vavoom (10-12) by 6l, 15 ran.
Drumossie (AUS) 25-1 (10-9) Not fluent, always behind, 14th of 15, well behind Rajam (10-5) at Perth 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Jun.
Durba (AUS) Desert Prince gelding out of Placate.
Dyneburg (POL) 16-1 (10-12) Keen, prominent, ridden and weakened 3 out, 9th of 15, 39l behind Rajam (10-5) at Perth 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Jun.
Known Maneuver (USA) 33-1 (10-7) Behind from 4th, mistake 5th, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Ballyboe Boy (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gf.
Repent At Leisure 66-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 15, 8l behind Lysander's Quest (9-7) at Folkestone 1m 4f stk (H5) gf in Sept (Flat).
Zaffre (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, chased winner after 3 out, hit 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 15, 9l behind Buena Vista (11-3) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (C) gf in Jun.
Given A Chance 16-1 (11-5) Led, headed approaching 4th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 12, 20l behind Qualitair Pleasure (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Jun.
Olympian Time 33-1 (10-9) Chased leaders until weakened over 4f out, 14th of 18, well behind Camden Bella (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs nhf (H) gd in May.
Lytham (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, weakened 2 out, 7th of 10, 32l behind Flintoff (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (E) gd in May.
