made virtually all, soon led, set steady pace, quickened 2f out, ran on well final furlong, driven out
held up last, ridden over 2f out, no impresion over 1f out, soon one pace
took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, always held
pulled hard, tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, kept on near finish
took keen hold in 4th, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced
Ike Quebec did well for Richard Hannon and Jim Boyle is sure to get the best out of him having claimed him for ¿17,000 following his win at Wolverhampton in December. Little Knickers is the pick on official figures but is possibly flattered by her rating and has an absence to overcome. The selection has won two of his five starts on the all-weather, finishing second on the other three, and should be at home at this venue. There's no problem with the trip and he won't be far away at the line. Little Knickers ran well on her latest start at Lingfield and has an obvious chance now dropped in grade; market confidence in her chances would be encouraging. Diademas is a pretty consistent sort but struggles to win and has something to find at the weights but Wee Buns isn't dismissed having won a shade cosily over course and distance last time but our choice to land the spoils is Ike Quebec.
Ike Quebec (FR) 4-6fav (8-13) Tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 6f 2yo clm (5) pol in Dec beating Copperbottomed (8-10) by 1l, 4 ran.
Little Knickers 33-1 (8-13) Held up, pushed along halfway, ridden over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 8, 4l behind Kylayne (8-13) at Lingfield 6f 2yo stk (4) pol in Oct.
Diademas (USA) 9-4 (8-2) Slowly into stride, ridden and hung left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never nearer, 3rd of 4, 3l behind Doubtful Sound (9-8) at W'hampton 5f clm (5) pol in Jan.
Wee Buns 15-8fav (8-3) Tracked leaders, led over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, won at Kempton 6f 3yo clm (6) pol beating Orange Square (8-6) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Yattendon 14-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, held up, shaken up over 1f out, ridden and no headway final furlong, last of 8, 6l behind Seductive Witch (8-11) at W'hampton 6f 3yo hcp (6) std.