tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden clear approaching final furlong, caught post
tracked leading pair, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
in rear, ridden and weakened 2f out
steadied start, dropped into last place, headway over 1f out, strong run, edged left to lead post
held up, ridden and outpaced 2f out, ran on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
led, ridden and headed 2f out, no extra, lost 3rd inside final furlong
This is a hot little listed contest where preference is given to the very smart looking DUFF even though Matsunosuke seems back at his best and Smarten Die has been in fine fettle in Germany. A four time listed winner, the latest couple landed on his last two starts, the selection really impressed on his Lingfield debut two outings ago to make a bit of a mockery of a strong field over this trip. That was followed by another victory in a similar race at Kempton and a repeat will land the hat-trick. Matsunosuke is back in form after landing back to back victories over the minimum trip here in his last two runs. This, though, is a step up in class from those victories and this trip has often proved not to his liking. Smarten Die finished well behind our selection on his last visit to the UK. Since then some decent victories back in Germany have him firmly in form again. Swiss Franc has form to overturn on the selection and Matsunosuke but is more than capable of getting involved while also has to find more to beat the pick who is Duff.
Duff (IRE) 13-8fav (9-4) Made all, led, ridden and 2 lengths clear over 1f out, stayed on gamely final furlong and held on well, won at Kempton 7f lst stk (1) pol in Dec beating Bonus (9-2) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Ceremonial Jade (UAE) 11-1 (9-2) Went left start, held up towards rear, headway on outside over 1f out, stayed on to take 3rd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Duff (9-4) at Kempton 7f lst stk (1) pol in Dec.
Dvinsky (USA) 25-1 (8-9) Prominent, hard ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Flowing Cape (8-11) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Matsunosuke 2-1jt-fav (9-13) Held up, headway from over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol beating Little Edward (8-1) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Orpsie Boy (IRE) 10-1 (9-4) Soon towards rear, widest of all entering straight, not much room on stands rail inside final furlong, never trouble leaders, 6th of 11, 3l behind Flowing Cape (8-11) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Smarten Die (IRE) (9-11) In touch, led over 1f out, ridden clear, won at Dortmund 6f hcp std beating Reonka (9-4) by 3l, 8 ran.
Swiss Franc 9-4fav (9-4) Led 1f, chased leader after, effort and soon every chance inside final furlong, no answer to winners late surge, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Matsunosuke (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
