led, ridden approaching 3 out, soon headed and kept on after
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
always towards rear
prominent, led after 3 out, soon ridden and driven out flat
mid-division, hit 6th, soon ridden and no impression
prominent until weakened halfway
always towards rear
mid-division, blundered 5th, pulled up before next
mid-division, pulled hard and not fluent, headway to track leaders approaching 3 out, soon ridden and mistake 2 out, held when blundered badly last
behind, tailed off from 6th, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, weakened from 6th and soon beaten
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden and kept on
mid-division, ridden 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, no impression after
In the opener, Balyan is selected ahead of Palomar and Dancing Lyra. It was a good effort from Balyan to finish second to Escayola here last time over a longer trip and that is form that gives him solid claims today. Dancing Lyra's third to Nobelix last time also rates that way. Being an 89-rated Flat performer, Palomar gets a very favourable mention, while Turtle Bay has shown a modicum of ability and Misleain has shown a modicum of bumper promise. Overall, though, back at today's trip, the vote goes to Balyan.
Balyan (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Escayola (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Barrshan (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 22l behind Gringo (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Call Me Max 50-1 (11-7) Never better than mid-division, 13th of 22, well behind De Valira (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn hdl hvy.
Dancing Lyra 20-1 (10-12) Keen, mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Nobelix (11-4) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Palomar (USA) 7-1 (9-7) In mid-division when not clear run on rail inside final 3f, soon ridden and no headway, 9th of 13, 8l behind Pevensey (8-8) at Ascot 1m 4f hcap (2) gs in Sept (Flat).
After The Ball (SAF) (8-7) 15th of 16, 30l behind Better Mix (8-0) at Nad Al Sheba 1m hcp std in Dec '04 (Flat).
Misleain (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) Led until ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened, 3rd of 13, 11l behind Nodform William (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m mdn nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Spring Time Girl 100-1 (10-0) Behind, ridden and kept on from 2 out, never nearer, 7th of 15, 11l behind Gringo (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
