There is little between these on today’s terms though Irish raider Current Option is penalised for last year's Group 3 success at Tipperary. Lord Of The Lodge finished in front of Highland Dress when runner-up in Listed company at Wolverhampton and went on to win a handicap at Lingfield. But soft going is a worry for him while Qaysar has so far come up short in five starts in Pattern company. Tomfre and RAAEQ (NAP) are smart handicappers upped in class but the latter has a recent run under his belt and won easily in soft ground over today’s trip at Ascot in October.
Current Option (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) A little slow into stride, waited with, keen, towards rear, 9th 3f out, soon slightly impeded, headway to chase winner from over 1f out, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Lancaster House (10-0) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Apr.
Highland Dress 11-10fav (9-6) Slowly away, soon ridden for effort, tracked leader at halfway, pushed along over 2f out, outpaced and lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 3, 3 1/2l behind May Sonic (9-6) at Chelmsford City 6f stks (2) pol in Apr.
Qaysar (FR) 28-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, ridden along to challenge over 1f out, every chance 1f out, no extra 1/2f out, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Oh This Is Us (9-0) at Ascot 1m lst stks (1) gf in Apr.
Raaeq (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Mid-division near side of group, headway on rail over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to reach leaders, 6th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Nugget (8-9) at Newbury 1m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Tomfre 5-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, pushed along to lead stand side group over 1f out, ridden and stayed on to lead final strides, won at Doncaster 7f hcp (2) sft in Nov beating Firmament (9-1) by ns, 15 ran.
Lord Of The Lodge (IRE) 5-1jfav (9-10) Made most, ridden 3 lengths clear entering final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 7f hcp (2) pol in Apr beating Amber Island (8-5) by 1 1/4l, 14 ran.
