Punters are plunged straight into the deep-end with a real puzzle to kick-start proceedings. London Bridge is the sole European raider and Jo Hughes' charge will certainly stay the trip, but whether the winning handicapper is good enough on this surface is another matter. Cease was nowhere good enough in this in 2011 and Commander was well beaten in last year's renewal won by a South American import. Argentina is represented this year by Ever Rider, but the merit of his winning form is hard to assess. Blueskiesnrainbows won over 1m2f last month while Worldly and Indian Jones have also been running well over shorter trips. The latter finished ahead of Suns Out Guns Out and POOL PLAY over a mile last time, but Mark Casse's veteran has winning form over 1m5f in Canada and may well reverse running today asked to draw on his proven stamina once again.
Old Time Hockey (USA) 40-1 (8-7) 3wd into str,btwn late, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Indy Point (8-9) at Santa Anita(USA) 1m 2f Grp 2 gd in Sep.
Cease (USA) 13-8fav (8-9) 3w angle & asked 3/8, won at Belmont Park(USA) 7f all stks in Oct beating Congressional Page (8-9) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Commander (USA) 19-10 (8-10) Led 2 wide, held, won at Hastings Racecourse(USA) 1m 3f Group 3 stks (3yo+) in Oct beating Title Contender (8-4) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Ever Rider (ARG) (9-4) won at Argentina(ARG) 1m 4f Group 2 stks (4yo+) in Jun beating Sunny Rex (9-0) by nk, 5 ran.
Suns Out Guns Out (USA) 16-10fav (8-8) Vied inside, drew away, won at Philadelphia Park(USA) 1m all stks in Sep beating On The Loose Again (8-10) by 5l, 9 ran.
Indian Jones (USA) 7-5fav (8-8) Swung out lane,gamely, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Cherokee Artist (8-0) at Laurel Park(USA) 1m clm stks in Sep.
London Bridge (USA) 9-2 (8-11) 4th of 8, 5l behind Destruct (8-11) at Deauville(FR) 1m 7f 3yo lst stk (1) gd in Aug.
Blueskiesnrainbows (USA) 7-10fav (8-9) Pace 2w, tired, 5th of 7, 7l behind Positive Response (8-8) at Fresno(USA) 1m 1f 3yo stks in Oct.
Pool Play (USA) 18-1 (8-9) Outrun, 6th of 7, 21l behind Fort Larned (8-13) at Churchill Downs(USA) 1m 1f 3yo stks in Sep.
Worldly (USA) 25-1 (8-9) 3 wide 1st turn, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Fort Larned (8-13) at Churchill Downs(USA) 1m 1f 3yo stks in Sep.
