led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leaders, driven to challenge over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed and no extra at closing stages
slowly into stride, held up, weakened well over 2f out, eased
held up, ridden and unbalanced over 1f out, switched right and ran on strongly to lead inside final furlong
prominent, ridden and effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, held up, never dangerous
Race conditions here favour Upper Hand to get just that, with Bouboulina, Saville Road and King Orchisios also likely to go well. The Mick Channon-trained selection is was very competitive in Group 2 company last season, and though he didn't get his nose in front at that level, the form of those races entitles him to go off a warm favourite here and if he runs up to his form or even improves then he will take all the beating. Bouboulina is unexposed and surprised her connection with a facile success at Lingfield in the Autumn before being put away. She looks a certain improver, but she will have to be very much on the upgrade to lower the colours of the favourite. Saville Road was a bit out of his depth in Group 2 company at York last time and will find this a little easier, though it would be a bit of a turn up if he were good enough to score, while King Orchisios has not been seen out since winning a Haydock maiden very well last June. He steps up from the minimum trip here but should be suited and can go well. However, Upper Hand sets the standard and is our idea of the winner.
King Orchisios (IRE) 5-1 (9-0) Made all, ran on, won at Haydock 5f 2yo mdn (5) gd in Jun beating Serevi (9-0) by 3l, 10 ran.
Dark Islander (IRE) 5-1 (9-2) Led, ridden approaching 1f out, no extra when headed close home, 3rd of 7, 3/4l behind Emirates Skyline (9-4) at Sandown 7f nov stk (3) gs in Sept.
Misterbianco (IRE) 6-1 (8-9) Ran green towards rear, moderate headway on outside final furlong, 8th of 14, 8l behind Snark (8-12) at Lingfield 7f nov stk (5) pol in Nov.
Saville Road 16-1 (8-11) With leader, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 13, 6l behind Amadeus Wolf (8-11) at York 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Upper Hand 9-2 (8-9) Raced far side, mid-division, weakened well over 1f out, 15th of 30, 4 1/2l behind Murfreesboro (8-13) at Newmarket 6f 2yo aut (2) gd in Sept.
Bouboulina 7-2 (8-11) Held up in touch, led going well over 1f out, soon clear, very easily, won at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Oct beating Heather Moor (8-11) by 3l, 14 ran.
Madame Medusa (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Raced stand side, pulled hard, tracked leader, switched to centre group over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 10, 43l behind Rajeem (8-8) at Newmarket 1m 2yo lst stk (1) sft in Oct.
