made all, driven and in command final furlong
chased winner until 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, soon pulled hard, ridden 2f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, always held
close up, chased winner over 4f out, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace
steadied start, held up in last place, not clear run entering final 2f, switched right, ridden, no impression final furlong
Red Spell, Party Boss and Ceremonial Jade form the shortlist in this weak event and the narrow preference is for Red Spell. Party Boss is a course and distance winner and he confirmed his well-being when winning at Southwell last time beating Waterside. He showed a really good attitude that day and previously he had finished in front of our selection Red Spell. However, on these terms Red Spell should reverse the placings and he consequently gets our nomination. Ceremonial Jade has won his last two races but he has been off the track since October last year and the worry is that he might just need this run today. Orchard Supreme is the other to note in the market, but we think his stablemate Red Spell has the more solid credentials today and he should be good enough to land this prize.
Party Boss 5-6fav (9-2) In touch, driven to lead entering final furlong, kept on gamely, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-100 (2) fbs beating Waterside (9-5) by a shd, 5 ran.
Tony James (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, 7th of 8, 9l behind Gentleman's Deal (9-0) at Kempton 1m lst stk (1) pol.
Ceremonial Jade (UAE) 7-4fav (9-2) Held up towards rear, smooth headway going well 2f out, led inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Lingfield 7f hcap (3) pol in Oct beating Rochdale (9-2) by a hd, 13 ran.
Red Spell (IRE) 12-1 (9-0) Towards rear, no impression over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 4th of 8, 4l behind Gentleman's Deal (9-0) at Kempton 1m lst stk (1) pol.
Orchard Supreme 9-2 (8-10) Towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, ran on well final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 8, 1l behind Fusili (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Jan.
Humungous (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, soon chased winner, weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 20, 4l behind Pinpoint (9-3) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Sept.