tracked leaders on outer, ridden to challenge and every chance 1f out, outpaced by winner inside final furlong, kept on to take 2nd final stride
towards rear in touch, ridden and in rear 2f out, soon weakened
dwelt, held up in rear, headway on outer well over 1f out, quickened and led well inside final furlong, soon drew clear, driven out
behind in touch, not clear run well over 1f out, switched right, stayed on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders
tracked leader on inside, not clear run on rail over 1f out, switched right, no impression when ridden inside final furlong
led, shaken up 2f out, stayed on under pressure until headed well inside final furlong, lost 2nd final stride
Ceremonial Jade looks a good bet here to get the better of Transcend and Bentong. The selection has already won twice at this venue and he was a good second behind Edge Closer at Kempton last time. He is a useful type who can win this before going on to bigger and better things. He was flying at the finish last time so we are confident he can reverse the form with Edge Closer today. Transcend won well at Thirsk when last seen out and on the back of that effort he has to be a serious contender. Bentong is interesting as he lost his way in 2007, but prior to that he had some rock solid form, and he bounced back with a winning effort at Brighton last time, so he is certainly worth noting in the market. However, Ceremonial Jade looks a class act and he can win again at this track.
Edge Closer 2-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, close up, ridden to chase leader over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Kempton 6f stk (3) pol in Mar beating Ceremonial Jade (9-4) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Bentong (IRE) 2-1fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, pushed out final furlong, won at Brighton 6f hcp 0-105 (2) gs in Apr beating Angus Newz (8-8) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Ceremonial Jade (UAE) 11-8fav (9-4) In touch, good headway to lead over 1f out, no extra when headed well inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Edge Closer (9-4) at Kempton 6f stk (3) pol in Mar.
Beauchamp Viceroy 16-1 (9-1) Chased leaders to 3f out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 7l behind Orchard Supreme (8-8) at Ascot 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Sept.
Transcend 2-1fav (9-0) Tracked leader, shaken up to lead over 2f out, soon clear, ridden out final furlong, won at Thirsk 7f hcp 0-90 (3) gs in Apr beating Extraterrestrial (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Salient 9-4fav (8-6) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Vortex (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Giganticus (USA) 20-1 (9-4) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, weakened close home, 12th of 23, 4l behind Candidato Roy (9-7) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
