held up, ridden 2f out, some late progress, not reach leaders
prominent, led over 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, faded close home
in touch, effort 2f out, running on and hanging left approaching final furlong, led close home
held up, keen hold, ridden and weakened 2f out
soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened
led, soon headed, stayed prominent, led again inside final furlong, all out and headed close home
towards rear, lost place 4f out
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
Many of these have won over course and or distance, but our selection is one of several to boast both, and that's BANKNOTE, who's preferred to Count Treviso and Orchard Supreme. Andrew Balding's gelding is one of the oldest in the field, but is lightly raced this year, with this just his fifth outing. The joint top weight, his only success on the all-weather came in the Doncaster Mile last year, the listed race that was switched here. Orchard Supreme was back in third then after a tactical affair was dictated by Banknote. Richard Hannon's runner has fared better since, and has a 25% strike rate on the all weather. However a couple of recent runs in listed company have been disappointing. Count Treviso is a former Godolphin horse, who changed hands for 110 thousand Guineas just over a year ago. This is his first run for Jeremy Gask, and indeed his first sight of a track since August last year, and his all-weather debut. Any market support should be noted. It's a decent contest this with several having a realistic chance, but we favour Banknote.
Orchard Supreme 20-1 (9-2) Soon outpaced towards rear, headway from 2f out, not troubled leaders over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 14, 7l behind Mac Love (9-2) at Kempton 1m lst stk (1) pol in Nov.
Abbondanza (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Star Strider (8-6) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Banknote 6-5fav (9-0) Set steady pace, quickened over 2f out, ridden and headed 1f out, slightly hampered inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Orchard Supreme (9-0) at Great Leighs 1m 1f stk (3) pol in Nov.
Bee Stinger 40-1 (9-5) In touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 12, 8l behind Bullet Man (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) pol.
Count Trevisio (IRE) 6-4fav (8-9) Set steady pace, quickened and edged right from over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Final Verse (8-9) at Newmarket 1m stk (2) gf in Aug '07.
Philario (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) In touch to over 2f out, gradually weakened, 8th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Duff (9-4) at Lingfield 6f lst stk (1) pol in Nov.
Randama Bay (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 13, 12l behind Hucking Heat (10-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f amt hcp (5) pol.
Lady Jane Digby 25-1 (9-2) Always in the rear, 16th of 17, 14l behind Eva's Request (9-6) at Ascot 1m lst fll hcp (1) gd in Sept.
Capricorn Run (USA) 10-1 (8-13) Stood still as stalls opened, lost all chance, not recover, 8th of 9, 11l behind Bazroy (8-9) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Green Oasis (USA) 20-1 (8-5) Towards rear, kept on from over 1f out but never dangerous, 7th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Confuchias (9-4) at Kempton 7f stk (3) pol in Nov.
