behind, some headway, under pressure over 2f out, never reached leaders and soon beaten
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, kept on from over 1f out but never nearer
always in rear, never a factor
chased leaders on inside, ridden over 3f out, no impression from over 2f out, kept on same pace
started slowly, in rear, good headway wide over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, took 3rd post and gaining on first 2
steadied start, took keen hold towards rear, headway 2f out, stayed on to chase leaders final furlong, lost 3rd post
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, chased winner and every chance entering final furlong, kept on close home
in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression over 1f out
led until headed over 2f out, weakened quickly final furlong
prominent on outer, effort over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out stayed on one pace
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, driven out
Benny The Bus is taken to turn the tables on Royal Orissa and Lucius Verrus in a fairly open-looking handicap. The key to solving this contest could be a race that took place over the course-and-distance three weeks ago. On that occasion Royal Orissa came out on top to gain his first win in two years, with Lucius Verrus in second and Benny The Bus back in fourth. There was little between the trio at the finish, and on 3lb better terms, the latter is taken to come out on top. Lucius Verrus has been beaten since, but is also marginally better off at the weights with Royal Orissa who is worth taking on due to his poor win-to-run ratio. Mistral Sky has been pretty consistent at a lowly level, and is one of a number of course-and-distance winners here. Stef Liddiard's charge can figure in the outcome as well, but preference is just for Benny The Bus at the weights.
Bessemer (JPN) 13-2 (9-4) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, never dangerous after, 8th of 9, 15l behind Whittinghamvillage (8-0) at Ayr 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) gd.
Lucius Verrus (USA) 25-1 (8-13) Always in rear, last of 17, 19l behind Napoletano (9-0) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-65 (6) gf.
Mistral Sky 5-1 (9-8) Chased leaders throughout, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Mambazo (9-3) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Royal Envoy (IRE) 9-1 (9-9) Mid-division, lost place over 2f out, last of 13, 11l behind Monte Major (9-3) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Green Pirate 12-1 (7-11) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on, 4th of 11, 3l behind Tender The Great (9-3) at Bath 1m hcap (5) frm.
Ours (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden 1f out, one pace, 6th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Royal Orissa (8-11) at W'hampton 7f hcap (6) pol.
Royal Orissa 11-2 (8-11) Took keen hold, led over 5f out, ridden inside final furlong, held on, all out, won at W'hampton 7f hcap (6) pol beating Lucius Verrus (9-2) by a hd, 10 ran.
Benny The Bus 10-1 (8-13) Led, headed over 5f out, stayed chasing winner, every chance 1f out, not quicken well inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 1l behind Royal Orissa (8-11) at W'hampton 7f hcap (6) pol.
