mid-division, ridden, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on
led, ridden 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
jumped slowly, always in rear
mid-division, ridden, headway and hung left from over 1f out, soon every chance, stayed on
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
with leader, ridden 2f out, held when hampered, snatched up inside final furlong, not recover
held up towards rear, headway on outer from over 1f out, edged left, ran on to lead well inside final furlong (course record)
close up on outside, ridden, weakened well over 1f out
slowly into stride, behind
slowly away, in rear, ran on final furlong, not reached leaders
Bonus has been in good form this winter and Gerard Butler's gelding is taken to give weight and a beating to his rivals, getting the verdict ahead of Ebraam and Maltese Falcon. The last mentioned, like the selection, has a penalty to carry for his recent Listed race success but Paul Cole's gelding has not been in the same form as Bonus and may have to settle for minor honours. Ceremonial Jade has a three-month break to overcome and needs to improve, while Evens And Odds was good value for his win last time but this looks tougher. Kostar, Baby Strange and King Orchisios all have claims if fit enough for their returns but lack of a recent run is of some concern and a bigger threat is likely to come from the in-form Ebraam. Bonus has plenty going for him though and he is preferred.
Bonus (IRE) 11-8fav (9-11) Towards rear, headway and not clear run over 1f out, switched left, ran on to chase winner inside final furlong, always just held, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Orpsie Boy (8-7) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
Maltese Falcon 8-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 10, 3 1/2l behind Ebraam (8-8) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Baby Strange (9-0) Missed break, recovered to race in 2nd after 2f, ridden over 1f out, kept on but lacked pace of winner, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Captain Marvelous (9-0) at Maisons-Laffitte 6f Grp 2 in Oct '06.
Ceremonial Jade (UAE) 5-2fav (8-13) Mid-division, ridden 2f out, switched right inside final furlong, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov beating King's Caprice (8-6) by a nk, 11 ran.
Come Out Fighting 13-2 (8-12) Awkward start, soon chased leaders, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken, weakened over 1f out, last of 7, 6l behind Orpsie Boy (8-7) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
Ebraam (USA) 2-1fav (9-1) Held up in rear, ridden 2f out, strong run inside final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind Ajigolo (8-12) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Evens And Odds (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Made all, driven over 1f out, ran on final furlong, won at Southwell 6f hcap (3) fbs beating Bo McGinty (8-5) by 5l, 7 ran.
Excusez Moi (USA) 16-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 9, 5l behind Appalachian Trail (9-6) at Doncaster 7f stk (3) gd in Oct.
King Orchisios (IRE) 4-1fav (9-1) Chased leaders stand side, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 14th of 17, 9l behind Sunrise Safari (8-7) at Doncaster 5f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct.
Kostar 10-1 (9-6) Made all, led far side group, driven over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Ripon 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Aug beating Obe Brave (9-8) by a shd, 22 ran.
Tilsworth Charlie 11-2 (8-13) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Lindbergh (8-11) at Kempton 6f hcp (6) pol.
Woodnook 16-1 (8-4) Mid-division, headway to chase winner over 1f out, not quicken entering final furlong, 5th of 11, 2l behind Come Out Fighting (8-8) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
