held up towards rear, smooth headway on inside well over 1f out, soon ridden, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
tracked leader, hung left from over 2f out, soon ridden, one pace
steadied start, held up in 4th, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never able to challenge
held up towards rear, never dangerous
led, clear halfway, headed well inside final furlong, kept on
tracked clear leader, effort well over 1f out, soon faded
held up towards rear, raced wide 2f out, soon no impression
Given his running style, backing Bonus will always be fraught with danger but he is the class horse in the race and can land this contest from Red Cape with course specialists Lucayos and Qadar best of the rest. Bonus was given a fine ride by today's pilot to win a Listed race over 7 at Kempton last time but he's equally effective over this course and distance and could prove too good for this opposition if he gets the gaps at the right time. Red Cape hasn't been out since running two sound races here in the spring; the form of those performances entitle him to serious consideration and the lack of a recent run isn't a concern given his stable's current form. Qadar has made the frame on twelve of his nineteen starts here and continues to perform creditably but it's been over a year since he last won and he may have to settle for a place at best again this afternoon. Lucayos has won four of his thirteen starts here, finishing placed on a further four occasions, and showed marked improvement during a busy 2007. He's another that could be hard to keep out of the frame but Bonus appeals as the likelier winner.
Bonus (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Started slowly, held up in rear, good headway on inside 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on strongly final furlong, driven out, won at Kempton 7f lst stk (1) pol in Dec beating Carcinetto (8-11) by a nk, 13 ran.
Lucayos 16-1 (8-7) In touch, ridden over 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, 8th of 9, 4l behind Ebraam (8-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Qadar (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Steadied start, in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, not reach leaders, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Ebraam (8-1) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Dec.
Red Cape (FR) 9-2 (8-12) Broke well, took keen hold, held up, ran wide into straight 2f out, soon ridden, kept on one pace from over 1f out, not trouble leaders, 4th of 6, 3l behind Levera (8-12) at Lingfield 7f stk (4) pol in Apr.
Silver Prelude 9-4fav (8-10) Made all, ridden clear approaching final furlong, unchallenged, won at W'hampton 5f hcap (5) pol in Dec beating Fizzlephut (8-13) by 3l, 8 ran.
Gross Prophet 7-4fav (9-10) Chased leaders, ridden to lead entering final furlong, edged right, ran on, eased near finish, won at W'hampton 6f nov stk (5) pol in Dec beating Ike Quebec (8-13) by 2l, 4 ran.
Dalkey Girl (IRE) 11-1 (8-12) Held up in touch, ridden, headway over 2f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 3/4l behind Classic Legend (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 2yo lst fll (1) gd in Nov.
Tia Mia 11-4 (8-12) Led, headed after 1f, remained in touch, ridden halfway, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 6l behind Sporting Art (9-5) at Ripon 6f 2yo stk (3) gd in Aug.
