chased leaders, close up 2f out, weakened over 1f out
pulled hard, in touch, ridden and hung right over 2f out, weakened and eased when no chance over 1f out
started very slowly, well in rear, effort on wide outside and hung badly left inside final 2f, no danger after
held up in mid-division, effort to chasing pair inside final 2f, stayed on same pace final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, kept on under pressure final 2f, never dangerous
tracked leader, led narrowly over 4f out, headed 2f out, stayed chasing winner, well held in final furlong
behind, pushed along 3f out, stayed on under pressure final 2f, nearest finish
held up in mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, one pace and no impression after
took keen hold, held up in rear, effort on outside over 2f out, soon no impression
led to over 4f out, stayed pressing leader to over 2f out, weakened rapidly over 1f out
mid-division, not clear run and switched right inside final 3f, one pace and no impression on leaders over 1f out
chased leaders, led 3f out, headed 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out
held up and always in rear
held up towards rear, ridden on outside 3f out, soon beaten
in touch, led 2f out, ridden and stayed on well final furlong
Duelling Banjos goes from strength to strength and can land the finale, with Rio de Janeiro, River Gipsy, Tight Squeeze and Tromp all rating a mention. The selection has won his last three race and, despite the fact that he has risen 12 pounds on Turf in the process, that might not be enough to stop him winning again. Overall, he still looks to have a good profile for this race and, from a good draw, can go well. Turning to the others and Swainson won off a mark of 79 here last summer (now rated 80) but her form then tailed off, while the well-bred Rio de Janeiro showed promise in Ireland and now runs for Patrick Chamings. Tight Squeeze is on a fairly competitive mark, while Rawdon and Prime Powered seem to have something to prove, and Dance World might be vulnerable off topweight. Watch for a market move on David Elsworth's River Gipsy, while War Owl will once again pay his way this year, so keep an eye on how he goes. The lightly-raced Desert Reign is a possible improver this year, Karaoke is edging towards a winning mark and Tromp has to be respected if he can transfer his winning all-weather form to Turf. Overall, though, we will side with Duelling Banjos.
Dance World 14-1 Held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 13, 9l behind Tartouche at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp gf.
Swainson (USA) 100-1 Dwelt, always behind, 14th of 16, 13l behind Cutting Crew at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-105 (B) gd in Jul.
Rio De Janeiro (IRE) 16-1 Chased leaders over 7f, 17th of 18, 23l behind Maraakeb at Newbury 1m 2f hcp gs.
Tight Squeeze 12-1 Mid-division, effort 3f out, soon beaten, 10th of 12, 8l behind Jack of Trumps at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp pol.
Prime Powered (IRE) 16-1 Mid-division, stayed alone far side in straight, in touch until weakened final 2f, last of 13, 29l behind Tender Falcon at Epsom 1m 4f hcp gs.
Rawdon (IRE) 13-2 Always prominent, hampered over 7f out, led well over 1f out, soon headed, kept on, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind King's Kama at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk pol.
Duelling Banjos 9-4fav Held up, headway from over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, won at Folkestone 1m 2f hcp sft beating Polish Power by 4l, 10 ran.
Forthright 16-1 Chased leader over 8f out, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 7th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Gingko at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (D2) pol in Mar.
War Owl (USA) 12-1 Dwelt, held up in rear, no headway final 2f, 14th of 16, 10l behind Diego Cao at Sandown 1m 2f hcp (D2) gd in Sept.
Magic Amigo 33-1 In touch, ridden approaching 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 17, 6l behind Compton Drake at Warwick 1m 3f hcp gs in Mar.
Desert Reign 8-1 Prominent, ridden and stayed on same pace final 2f, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Sangiovese at Newbury 1m ldy rds hcp (D2) sft in Oct.
Saraba (FR) 7-4jt-fav Held up, headway 3f out, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, soon no impression, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Pax Romana at Folkestone 1m 4f mdn fll sft.
Barton Sands (IRE) 5-2fav Held up and behind, steady headway halfway, going well 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed out final furlong, comfortably, won at Lingfield 1m 2f sll pol beating Jomus by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Karaoke (IRE) 6-1 Held up, headway 3f out, ridden and no impression final furlong, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Sir Haydn at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp pol.
Tromp 8-1 Held up behind, chased leaders 2f out, driven to lead well inside final furlong, asserted final 50 yards, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp pol beating Kavi by 3/4l, 10 ran.
River Gypsy 10-3fav Set steady pace, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 13, 5l behind Tromp at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stk (D3) pol in Feb.
