awkward start and slowly away, raced wide and always in rear
made most until headed halfway, remained close up, ridden and every chance approaching 2f out, weakened over 1f out
close up, ridden 3f out, kept on, never able to challenge
keen, close up, lost place over 8f out, headway to lead over 3f out, headed 2f out, soon ridden, rallied towards finish
switched left start, held up in rear, ridden over 4f out, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer
held up, took closer order over 4f out, led 2f out, soon clear, ridden out
tracked leader, led halfway, headed over 4f out, weakened 2f out
in rear, headway from 3f out, went 3rd from over 1f out, kept on same pace
headway to track leaders 9f out, led over 4f out, headed over 3f out, kept on one pace final 2f
close up, lost place from 4f out
Nonrunner
The two recent winners Night Orbit and BEN BACCHUS make most appeal here and it is the last-named who gets our vote; Drum Major, with the first-time cheek-pieces on, is not one to dismiss easily either. Marie King is one of the best jockeys in the line-up and Peter Hiatt's gelding was a game winner last time out at Kempton. Whilst both wins have come at Kempton, the horse escapes a penalty for that win in an apprentice race and another big run is expected. Augustus John is often well-backed but his record is deplorable and it pays to ignore any market support, and a bigger danger could be Drum Major. Another of the Gary Moore clan, Hayley Moore, takes the ride and she will have been well-briefed by her brother Ryan who is the only person to have won on the animal. Night Orbit, a recent course and distance winner, showed an enviable turn of foot last time and has solid claims despite a 2lb rise in the weights. Papradon is a rare flat runner for Nigel Twiston-Davies but he can't do any worse than the jumpers of late, whilst Caltire is one to watch in the betting returning from a four month break. Turner's Touch, the returning Olivino and Williams Way all add more spice to the mix; however it is Ben Bacchus who can win again.
Munich (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Tracked leader to 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, 5th of 6, 12l behind Dream of Fortune (9-2) at Great Leighs 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Dec.
Papradon 12-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, good headway 2f out, switched right over 1f out, chased winner final furlong, always held, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Graylyn Ruby (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Oct.
Night Orbit 6-1 (8-13) Held up, headway and chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on final furlong to lead close home, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Star Choice (8-13) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Augustus John (IRE) 85-40 (9-7) Led, ridden, headed over 3f out, driven, no impression final furlong, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Ibrox (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f mdn stk (5) fbs.
Caltire (GER) 7-1 (9-6) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, soon driven, no impression, 6th of 16, 5l behind Highland Homestead (8-11) at Windsor 1m 2f 3yo sll (6) gs in Oct.
William's Way 12-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, headway on outer over 2f out, not reach leaders, one pace from over 1f out, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Can Can Star (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol.
Home 50-1 (10-2) Behind, edged left 1f out, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 18l behind Hucking Heat (10-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Turner's Touch 16-1 (9-1) Held up, headway on inside over 1f out, plugged on, 8th of 11, 4l behind Wind Flow (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Dec.
Ben Bacchus (IRE) 11-1 (8-6) Mid-division, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, held on gamely, won at Kempton 1m 4f app hcp 0-70 (6) pol beating Bernabeu (8-12) by a nk, 13 ran.
Olivino (GER) 4-1fav (9-3) Held up mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, one pace when edging left final furlong, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Padre Nostro (8-11) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Jul '06.
Drum Major (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Tracked leader on outer, ridden and effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 10l behind Mission Control (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
