slowly into stride, held up in rear, switched right over 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong
led, ridden over 2f out, headed entering final furlong, soon weakened
held up, ridden and headway 2f out, kept on one pace
pulled hard, raced on outer in mid-division, ran very wide, bend into straight 2f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, every chance from over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway and not clear run 1f out, ran on close home
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
slowly into stride in rear, not troubled leaders
held up, ridden 3f out, switched right approaching final furlong, ran on, not reached leaders
keen close up, ridden 3f out, hung left, kept on inside final furlong
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, slightly outpaced over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
Beneking edges the nomination over Moon Bird and Grankey. The last named won a Banded Stakes on her penultimate start but was far from disgraced in finishing third next time out. The daughter of key Of Luck may well prove to be a touch better than her current rating suggests and she is one to seriously consider if the betting market backs up her claims. Moon Bird has bits and pieces of solid form at this level and has to be considered as a threat. However, he does have the tendency to throw in the odd stinker and is not one to trust implicitly for win only purposes. The ex-Irish Spot The Subbie is another to note in the betting, as he ran several good races during his time with Augstine Leahy and he may be capable of paying his way for his new connections before too long. However, Beneking makes more appeal for an immediate return and, having made a very pleasing return to action at Kempton a fortnight ago, this previous course and distance winner is fancied to deliver on the promise today.
Special Place 16-1 (9-3) Soon led, headed 2f out, chased leader to over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 14, 9l behind Mayonga (8-12) at Lingfield 7f mdn stk (5) pol in Oct.
Moon Bird 16-1 (8-11) Held up, headway over 1f out, led well inside last, just held on, won at Lingfield 7f clm (6) pol beating Marko Jadeo (8-12) by a shd, 11 ran.
Beneking 9-1 (8-8) Led, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Scutch Mill (9-1) at Kempton 1m app hcp (6) pol.
Viewforth 15-2 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on one pace final 2f, 5th of 12, 4l behind Zazous (8-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
Mulberry Lad (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 14, 6l behind Blakeshall Quest (9-2) at Southwell 6f banded stk (7) fbs.
Granakey (IRE) 5-2fav (8-9) In touch, ridden 3f out, driven and edged left over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Cool Sands (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcap (6) fbs.
Double Valentine 33-1 (8-11) Mid-division, headway under pressure to chase winner over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Millfields Dreams (8-12) at Kempton 6f hcap (6) pol.
Spot The Subbie (IRE) 13-2 (9-5) Soon prominent, 2nd after halfway, ridden before straight, 3rd and no impression final furlong, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Baby Blue Eyes (9-4) at Tralee 7f hcp 0-60 gs in Aug.
