held up, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
led for 3f, ridden halfway, soon behind
behind, headway 3f out, one pace final 2f
mid-division, headway 3f out, never dangerous final 2f
held up, driven 4f out, behind and eased final 2f
mid-division, ridden halfway, soon beaten
held up, ridden halfway, some late headway
held up, headway over 4f out, challenged over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden to lead 3f out, kept on gamely
prominent, led after 3f, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon beaten
chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 1f out
in rear, headway over 4f out, driven and one pace final 2f
dwelt, mid-division, ridden 3f out, never on terms
Nonrunner
BANQUET is given the tentative vote in this handicap ahead of Doonigan and Boing Boing. The selection is five pound higher since winning over course and distance and looks more than capable of following up off his new mark. He handled similar conditions last out and if he his able to reproduce that same level of form he will take all the beating. Doonigan has had three runs over hurdles without ever looking like winning. He had shown ability for Andrew Balding on the level last season so is worth a noting in the betting market. Boing Boing won two hurdle races earlier on in the year and this looks like being a pipe opener prior to a hurdles campaign. That said he is more than capable of being in the frame if at his very best. But for the winner we return to Banquet.
Sir Sandicliffe (IRE) 14-1 (8-4) Held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, never on terms, 9th of 11, 16l behind Blimey O'Riley (9-7) at Chester 1m 5f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Sept.
Karlani (IRE) 8-1 (9-13) Never better than mid-division, 9th of 12, 24l behind Merrymaker (9-7) at Catterick 2m hcap (6) gs in Sept.
Simple Jim (FR) 16-1 (9-4) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, soon dropped out, last of 8, 18l behind Speagle (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Wulimaster (USA) 9-2 (9-3) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Zalkani (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Doonigan (IRE) 14-1 (9-0) Made most, hard driven 2f out, headed 1f out, not pace of winner inside final furlong, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Almahaza (9-0) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo sll (5) gd in Oct '07.
Leopold (SLO) (10-10) 3rd of 6, 14l behind Lady St Moritz (10-6) at Stromsholm 2m 2f hdl gf in Jun '06.
Marieschi (USA) 20-1 (9-2) Led, driven over 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 10l behind Dan Tucker (10-0) at Catterick 1m 4f app hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Coronado's Gold (USA) 20-1 (9-7) Towards rear, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 26l behind Merrymaker (9-7) at Catterick 2m hcap (6) gs in Sept.
Boing Boing (IRE) 33-1 (8-13) Started slowly, always behind, 14th of 16, 12l behind Meelup (9-13) at Warwick 1m hcp (6) gs in Apr '05.
Capal Dubh Alainn (IRE) 13-2 (8-12) In touch, driven along and one pace final 2f, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Miss Serena (8-7) at Kempton 2m hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Restart (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, soon beaten, 12th of 13, well behind Mohawk Star (9-12) at Kempton 2m hcap (6) pol in Sept.
Admiral Savannah (IRE) 7-1 (8-5) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, every chance over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 12, 5l behind Sonara (9-4) at Redcar 1m 6f 3yo hcp (6) gf in Aug '07.
Aston Lad 11-2 (8-8) Started slowly and behind, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 6l behind Cavendish (9-4) at Catterick 2m hcap (6) gd in May.
Spiders Star 33-1 (9-5) Towards rear, headway over 4f out, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out, 6th of 11, 14l behind Jane of Arc (8-8) at Musselburgh 1m 4f sll (6) gd in Sept.
Banquet (IRE) 10-1 (8-12) Led, reminders 6f out, headed over 3f out, rallied to regain lead over 1f out, kept on gamely, won at Catterick 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) gd in Aug beating Ambrose Princess (8-10) by 1l, 11 ran.
