prominent, ridden approaching 2f out, weakening when hampered final furlong
made most, ridden approaching final furlong, challenged well inside but kept on
mid-division, ridden halfway, soon weakened
in touch, ridden 3f out, one paced from 2 out
in rear, headway over 2f out, switched left to chase winner final furlong, every chance but no extra close home
always towards rear
mid-division, headway approaching 1f out, chasing leaders and hung left, switched right close home, not reach winner
tracked leaders, chased winner from over 1f out, faded
went violently left start, outpaced and tailed off
in touch, ridden and effort 3f out, held when hampered inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden halfway, gradually faded
towards rear, some effort 3 out, hung left, weakened soon after
Bahamian Ballet gets a tentative vote over Sudden Edge, Gennie Bond and Imperial Rule. There are quite a few in with chances in fact in division one of this three-year-old maiden, and any support for the likes of Dancinginthedark or Storm Centre should be noted. However, we are prepared to chance our arm with Bahamian Ballet in the belief that Ed McMahon's gelding will have improved enough following a promising debut at Yarmouth three weeks ago. He came through late to hold every chance before fading to finish third, and although it was not the best of contests, he will have learnt plenty and can only improve. Sudden Edge came up against Mostashaar no less on his racecourse introduction at Folkestone back in April, doing well to grab fourth, and the occupied the same position at Chepstow a month later, with subsequent winner Heweraat a place in front. He should give a good account if fit enough, and hails from an in-form yard, while Gennie Bond has lots of experience but has become frustrating. First-time blinkers failed to do the trick at Chepstow last time, and she is one to be wary of. Imperial Rule has been dropped back in trip since his debut, and pulled much too hard at Folkestone. He needs to settle but has some potential if they can find the right trip, but in a trappy affair, we return to Bahamian Ballet as the answer.
Bachelor Affair 8-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up and keen, headway over 5f out, ridden over 2f out, hung left and weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 7l behind Tranquilizer (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn hcp (6) pol in Sept.
Bahamian Ballet 25-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, every chance from 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Redeye Special (8-7) at Yarmouth 6f mdn stk (5) gd in Sept.
For Life (IRE) 33-1 (8-7) Held up in touch centre group, no progress from over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 14l behind Malahem (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sept.
Imperial Rule (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Held up and pulled hard, ridden over 2f out, no impression, 5th of 8, 5l behind Casemate (9-1) at Folkestone 7f 3yo hcp (5) gf in Sept.
Storm Centre 9-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 11, 3l behind Navigation (9-0) at Bath 6f 3yo mdn (5) frm in Sept.
Sudden Edge 5-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden well over 1f out, soon one pace, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Exmoor (8-7) at Chepstow 6f 3yo mdn (5) gs in May.
Dancinginthedark (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) In touch, chased leaders 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 4l behind Balerno (9-2) at Chepstow 7f stk 0-60 (6) gd in Aug.
Gennie Bond 13-2 (9-4) Prominent, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 11, 3l behind Jolie (8-10) at Chepstow 6f fll hcp (5) gf in May.
