Pedigree and the style of last month’s victory over a mile here suggest this extra distance may bring further progress from MATTERHORN (NAP). Mark Johnston’s colt gets the vote to defy a penalty given Military Band also steps up in trip on his first start since April when making a modest debut at Newmarket. Be Thankful makes more appeal on a more recent placed effort at Newcastle and may also improve past the more exposed Janabiya while useful hurdler Flying Tiger could also go well having finished a respectable fifth in the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge at Ascot last year, his only start on the Flat so far.
Matterhorn (IRE) 4-5fav (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on, won at Chelmsford City 1m mdn stks (4) pol in Oct beating Yimou (9-5) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
Flying Tiger (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, tracked rival pair, went 2nd at 3rd, led after 5th, hit next, headed after 7th, behind from next, weakened and eased after 4 out, continued, tailed off, last of 3, dist behind Maria's Benefit (10-7) at Newton Abbot 2m (3) hvy in Oct.
Highfaluting (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Held up in 6th, pushed along and outpaced over 3f out, no threat after, 6th of 9, 11 3/4l behind Kasbaan (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 2f stks (5) pol in Sep.
Military Band 5-1jfav (9-5) Slowly away in touch, pushed along and headway over 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 19, 6 3/4l behind Sawwaah (9-5) at Newmarket 1m mdn stks (3) gd in Apr.
Pivello 33-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 10, 11 1/2l behind Beer With The Boys (9-5) at Pontefract 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gs in Oct.
Wise Fox 11-1 (9-5) In rear when hampered over 6f out, pushed along 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 11, 12l behind Character Witness (9-5) at Newcastle 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Be Thankful 6-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 2f out, kept on same pace approaching final furlong, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Ring Dancer (9-1) at Newcastle 1m stks (5) pol in Oct.
Janabiya 9-1 (9-1) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, went 4th and pressed for 3rd, kept on, 4th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Dragon Mountain (8-13) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (4) pol in Sep.
