tracked leaders in 4th, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
held up in touch, ridden to lead over 1f out, just held on
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, every chance over 1f out, no extra towards finish
soon mid-division, chased leaders over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, just held
held up in mid-division, ridden 1f out, no impression
led, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra towards finish
slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on towards finish
towards rear, never dangerous
Nonrunner
A mediocre affair that looks there for the taking by SADDLERS BEND, who can complete a hat-trick at the main expense of Mountain Pass. Trainer George Baker keeps on firing in the winners and the selection is a good case in point, having twice won here, over 6f, and then last time out over 1m 1f. She is up 5lbs for the most recent of those, while also dropped back in trip here, but the form looks strong enough for such a lowly grade and with little else shining at present we will stick with her. Mountain Pass ran well when sent off a 20-1 chance for a minor Kempton handicap last time. He remains on the same mark of 50 tonight, acts well over this course and distance and again has frame claims. Russian Angel scored in France last time over a similar trip, but back in a handicap on these shores he will need to improve to follow up and that appears unlikely. Joe Fanning's one previous ride on Imperial Day saw Ruth Carr's runner go well, and any market warmth would make that partnership interesting, while Yakama has run well from higher marks in handicaps but is inconsistent and should find a couple too good again. Saddlers Bend can complete a personal treble.
Saddlers Bend (IRE) 11-10fav (8-4) Held up mid-division, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden to lead 1f out, just held on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating King's Icon (9-2) by shd, 12 ran.
Mountain Pass (USA) 20-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear on inner, headway 2f out, stayed on into 2nd just inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Isitcozimcool (9-9) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Feb.
Leo's Lucky Angel (IRE) 7-2fav (9-3) Settled in mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Dhhamaan (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Feb.
Yakama (IRE) 25-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, soon tracking leaders, ridden on outer over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind King Canute (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Feb.
Bold Diva 7-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 9l behind Replicator (8-13) at Kempton 6f hcp (0-55) (6) pol in Feb.
Almatlaie (USA) 12-1 (8-13) Held up and keen, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest at finish, 4th of 11, 4l behind Obe Brave (8-9) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-52 (6) pol in Feb.
Russian Angel (9-1) won at Pau(FR) 7f stk sft in Feb beating New's Ivoire (9-6) by shd, 10 ran.
Montego Breeze 20-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders until over 4f out, struggling from over 3f out, 4th of 9, 19l behind Reverend Green (9-12) at Southwell 1m mdn auc stks (6) fbs in Jan.
Motu (IRE) 11-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 13, 5l behind King Canute (9-3) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Feb.
Imperial Djay (IRE) 4-1 (8-8) Led early, remained prominent, ridden over 2f out, soon hung left, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 9l behind Bermondsey Bob (8-5) at Chepstow 6f hcp 0-60 (6) gs in Sep.
Mister Beano (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Broke well, restrained to mid-division, never dangerous, last of 11, 9l behind Dhhamaan (9-3) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-50 (7) pol in Feb.
Sion Hill (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders, disputed lead 6f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out, 11th of 13, 5l behind Climate (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
