tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace
broke well, close up, pushed along over 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on to take 2nd near finish
in rear, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders in 4th, chased winner over 1f out, kept on and lost 2nd place near finish
made all, pushed along over 1f out, kept on well (hand-timed)
The evergreen Borderlescott was only beaten a nose in this last year when fellow veteran Tangerine Trees finished fourth. He'd bring the house down if going one better but may find course and distance winner ROBOT BOY a tough nut to crack. David Barron's sprinter finished just behind winner Blaine in a York handicap last August but is a couple of pounds better off and goes well fresh whereas Kevin Ryan's charge doesn't usually thrive until the weather gets a bit warmer. Hawkeyethenoo's best form is over at least a furlong further while Bapak Bangsawan appears to be well out of his depth.
Bapak Bangsawan 33-1 (8-12) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Samhain (8-13) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar.
Blaine 12-1 (9-4) Prominent, led over 5f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, no extra, 5th of 15, 6l behind Intransigent (9-4) at Ascot 7f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Borderlescott 14-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, driven when every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind One Chance (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f cond Stakes (2) gd in Oct.
Hawkeyethenoo (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Raced near side, held up in last pair, some headway 2f out, 7th and no chance with far side group and eased inside final furlong, 20th of 27, 37l behind Bronze Angel (9-2) at Ascot 1m hcp (2) hvy in Oct.
Robot Boy (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Soon raced in 4th, pushed along halfway, 7th 1f out, chased leaders and no impression final furlong, dropped to 4th again on line, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Stepper Point (9-4) at Curragh 5f Grp 3 (1) gf in Sep.
Tangerine Trees 8-1 (10-1) Led, hard driven when headed 1f out, no extra closing stages, 6th of 8, 4 1/2l behind One Chance (9-0) at Musselburgh 5f cond Stakes (2) gd in Oct.