chased leaders, led 1f out, ridden and ran on
dwelt, keen, soon close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, headway and switched right over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, ran on but held near finish
led 4f, ridden and hung right final furlong, kept on same pace
chased leaders, effort over 1f out, soon every chance, one pace final furlong
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
soon pushed along in rear, ridden halfway, headway over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
slow into stride, held up in rear, headway and switched right approaching final furlong, unable to quicken inside final furlong
chased leaders over 3f
Avonbridge is fancied to get his season off to a flyer and gets the nod over Moss Vale, Ashdown Express and Prince Aaron, who are just three contenders that will make sure this is a good test. Prince Aaron won well over six furlongs here last year. And was far from disgraced on his return to these shores just over a fortnight ago. However, the minimum distance is a concern for him and he may just be getting going when it is all but over. Similar comments apply to Ashdown Express, who has been a credit to his connections but it has to be a concern that he has never won over this trip. Moss Vale remains a sprinter to keep on the right side and, with his yard absolutely flying, he rates as the main danger to the selection. Even so, he has something to find with Avonbridge on last year's Nunthorpe run and will need to work very hard to reverse the form. Ringmoor Down is also worth a mention on the pick of her efforts. However, she is was very ring rusty on her reappearance last term and may just need this to put her straight. By way of contrast, Avonbridge ran an absolute blinder to finish second in this last May and, now that his yard have been back amongst the winners, he has plenty in his favour as he bids to go one better today.
Avonbridge 9-1 Prominent throughout, every chance 1f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 15, 7l behind Var at Longchamp 5f Grp 1 gd in Oct.
Night Prospector 33-1 Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, soon behind, 8th of 9, 12l behind Celtic Mill at Doncaster 5f lst stk (A1) gf in Sept.
Ashdown Express (IRE) 7-2 Held up in rear, headway and not clear run from over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Quito at Newmarket 6f lst stk gf.
Celtic Mill 3-1fav Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 13, 6l behind Moayed at W'hampton 6f hcp (C1) pol in Nov.
Fast Heart 8-1 Behind, not clear run on stands' rail briefly over 1f out, ran on well towards finish, 6th of 12, 1 1/2l behind Bishops Court at Epsom 5f hcp gs.
Moss Vale (IRE) 9-2 Raced stands' side, led that group, ridden 2f out, ran on final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 14, shd behind Royal Millennium at Newmarket 6f Grp 3 (A1) sft in Oct.
Prince Aaron (IRE) 22-1 Pulled hard, tracked leaders, not clear run from over 1f out, switched right, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 2 1/2l behind Quito at Newmarket 6f lst stk gf.
Ringmoor Down 7-1 Raced stands' side, behind, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Ruby Rocket at Newmarket 6f lst fll stk (A1) sft in Oct.
Texas Gold 16-1 Always in rear, last of 9, 17l behind If Paradise at Newbury 5f hcp gs.
