This looks a good opportunity for BUGSY'S BOY who is taken to get the better of Isle de Maurice and Sarando. George Baker's 6-year-old has won two of his 10 starts on the all-weather and he returns to the level today after a spell over hurdles. This is the first time he has ever raced here but he looks well enough treated and he should take plenty of beating. Isle de Maurice has only been out of the prize money in his five starts on the all-weather and he arrives here on the back of a winning effort at Fontwell last month. He had previously gone close over this course and distance and a reproduction of that effort would give him an obvious chance. Sarando is lightly raced and he is certainly one to consider, although he will need to improve on what he has shown on the racecourse so far if he is to get competitive today. Tribe ran well on his all-weather debut back in July and he looked in need of the run on his return from a break over hurdles at Doncaster last month. He is preferred to his stable-mate Kristallo, but Bugsy's Boy is preferred to both and he gets the vote.
Bugsy's Boy 11-1 (9-3) Held up in last pair, headway on outside over 2f out, strong challenge inside final furlong, held when struck on head by winner's whip towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Arab League (8-11) at Newbury 2m app hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Sarando 15-2 (9-2) Led until over 6f out, ridden over 2f out, quickly one pace, 6th of 11, 5l behind Dishdasha (8-11) at Great Leighs 1m 5f hcap (6) pol in Jan '09.
Tribe 7-2 (9-4) Held up in last pair, headway 10f out, 3rd halfway, 2nd 5f out, no chance with winner from 2f out and lost 2nd final 150 yards, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Swordsman (9-7) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul.
Kristallo (GER) (9-0) 2nd of 3, 1 1/2l behind Warstein (9-0) at Halle(GER) 1m 3f stk in Sep.
Isle de Maurice 3-1 (10-9) Held up, ridden, headway over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Court Princess (10-13) at Lingfield 2m Amateur Handicap (0-60) (3yo+) (6) pol in Dec.
Foreign King (USA) 15-2 (9-8) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, no progress and weakened over 2f out, 7th of 10, 14l behind Imperium (9-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcap (6) pol in Jan '09.
Gunnadoit (USA) 12-1 (8-12) Held up, ridden over 4f out, always behind, 8th of 10, 15l behind Monaadi (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcap (6) pol in Feb.
Pearl (IRE) 50-1 (8-6) Held up mid-division, kept on final furlong, 5th of 12, 6l behind Gargano (9-2) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Delorain (IRE) 100-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, mid-division, lost place after 7f, soon behind, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind William's Way (10-9) at Southwell 2m Amateur Handicap (0-65) (4yo+) (6) fbs.
