tracked leader to over 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, tailed off
started slowly, behind, headway 2f out, outpaced over 1f out
in rear, headway on inside over 2f out, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish
in touch, chased leader inside final 3f, no extra 2f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, chased leader over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened 2f out
behind, headway 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, no impression on leaders
tracked leaders to over 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out
in touch, ridden and effort approaching final furlong, led narrowly inside final furlong, no extra and headed towards finish
started slowly, always in rear, tailed off
in touch, ridden and outpaced over 2f out
led, headed narrowly inside final furlong, kept on, no extra close home
mid-division, ridden 3f out, soon struggling
always towards rear until some late headway, never nearer
Abbeygate should be the answer to this tricky contest; Mucho Loco and Future Deal are also considered. The selection was a beaten favourite last time but he had previously run well when third behind Bernabeu at Lingfield. He has a good draw today and we believe he can make it count. Future Deal was also a beaten favourite last time but she had gone well over this course and distance prior to that so she has to be considered. Mucho Loco ran well in a better race than this last time but all his best form is over further and on that basis we will take him on. Christian Bendix has the worst of the draw which will make life tough, and we will stick with Abbeygate who can return to winning ways.
Abbeygate Evensfav (9-0) Held up towards rear, clipped heels after 1f, not much room over 2f out, hampered well over 1f out, no danger after, 8th of 10, 3l behind Shantina's Dream (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Dec.
Christian Bendix 40-1 (8-5) Soon ridden in rear, behind final 3f, last of 10, 35l behind Trinculo (8-13) at Southwell 6f hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Club Captain (USA) 100-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 15l behind Shadowy Figure (9-3) at Windsor 1m mdn stk (5) sft in Oct.
Future Deal 3-1fav (9-1) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 13, 5l behind Ai Hawa (8-12) at Kempton 1m Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Dec.
Golden Square 12-1 (8-5) Always in the rear, eased over 1f out, last of 12, well behind Ceris Star (8-6) at W'hampton 7f app stk (7) pol in Oct.
Loaderfun (IRE) 28-1 (10-4) Dwelt and soon led, headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 12th of 14, 24l behind Take It There (10-6) at Southwell 1m amt hcp (6) fbs in Nov '06.
Mucho Loco (IRE) 25-1 (8-3) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, soon chasing leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 3l behind Play Up Pompey (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
My Spring Rose 16-1 (8-7) Led narrowly, headed over 2f out, kept on until weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 4l behind My Jeanie (9-0) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Only If I Laugh 12-1 (8-8) Chased leaders to over 2f out, soon outpaced, 9th of 12, 7l behind Epidaurian King (8-8) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Dec.
Pont Wood 25-1 (9-3) Slowly away, always behind, 8th of 11, 20l behind Silver Tide (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk (5) pol in Nov.
Rhuby River (IRE) 50-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden and slightly outpaced 2f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 13, 2l behind My Jeanie (9-0) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Sion Hill (IRE) 5-1 (9-7) Soon led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 9l behind Meeting of Minds (8-9) at Southwell 1m sll (6) fbs in Dec.
Tagula Sands (IRE) 33-1 (8-12) Pressed leader to over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 10th of 13, 13l behind Affrettando (9-3) at Kempton 7f mdn aut stk (6) pol in Dec.
Tuscan Treaty 7-2 (8-11) Held up, effort over 2f out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 14l behind Boogie Magic (8-8) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in May '06.
