chased leaders to over 2f out, soon weakened
raced keenly, led after 1f, raced wide and headed 4f out, ridden and edged left over 2f out, soon weakened and eased
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
held up behind, smooth headway 2f out, shaken up to lead when carried head high inside final furlong, just held on
led 1f, with leader, left in lead again 4f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, kept on and every chance inside final furlong, just held
held up, ridden 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression
mid-division, switched left and effort 2f out, soon ridden, no impression final furlong
Effective on most ground and rarely out of the picture the vote here goes to WIND SHUFFLE but Talk of Saafend shouldn't be ignored while Just Bond could also get into the thick of things. The selection runs off the same mark as his last appearance when he found a just a well handicapped rival too good over a slightly longer trip. A winner off just three pounds lower, he's held his form well and as long as he¿s fit he has every chance of starting this season with a victory. Talk of Saafend finished last season on terrific form landing a hat-trick of claimers before finding life a lot tougher in handicap company off this mark on his last appearance. That said he'll relish the ground and has gone well in better races in the increasingly distant past. Just Bond has been running well off ratings similar to that he carries here and while it's been a while since he last felt turf under hoof his last victory came on fast ground. Moheebb could do with softer going conditions but should go well under this mark but not as well as selection Wind Shuffle.
Arizona John (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, headway to 5th 2f out, soon ridden, no extra over 1f out and weakened, 11th of 15, 8l behind Chevie (9-5) at Leopardstown 7f 3yo hcp gf in Jun.
Cigalas 12-1 (9-4) Took keen hold, tracked leader, driven over 2f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 15th of 16, 36l behind Mawatheeq (9-4) at Ascot 1m 3yo hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Talk of Saafend (IRE) 4-1 (9-4) Held up, switched left and ridden over 1f out, kept on strongly inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 1/2l behind Debonnaire (9-2) at Musselburgh 1m fll hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Just Bond (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on well, nearest finish, 4th of 6, 3 1/2l behind Soccerjackpot (9-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Wind Shuffle (GER) 4-1fav (9-2) Led, headed 2f out, one pace, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Bourse (8-4) at Musselburgh 1m 1f hcap (4) sft in Nov.
Moheebb (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Towards rear, driven 3f out, stayed on final 2f, 5th of 11, 4l behind Bourse (8-4) at Musselburgh 1m 1f hcap (4) sft in Nov.
Celtic Change (IRE) 8-1 (9-1) Mid-division, ridden and carried head high over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 12, 5l behind Spinning (8-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Fortunate Isle (USA) 66-1 (8-6) Mid-division, lost place well over 2f out, 13th of 15, 42l behind Expresso Star (8-13) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcap (4) sft in Oct.
Bourse (IRE) 9-1 (8-11) Chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 8l behind Plush (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcap (5) pol in Jan.
