behind mid-division, headway over 3f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, and asserted near finish
always behind and tailed off over 2f out
raced keenly, tracked leaders, led over 4f out, stayed on well until headed well inside final furlong
behind, plugged on final 2f but never dangerous
towards rear, ridden 7f out, never dangerous from over 2f out
behind, headway to chase leader over 3f out, no impression when switched left 1f out, ran on towards finish, not reach leaders
led, headed over 4f out, weakened quickly 2f out, tailed off
in touch until weakened over 3f out
virtually refused to race, always rear and tailed off final 5f
tracked leader, ridden and weakened quickly 4f out, tailed off
mid-division, lost touch 4f out, soon tailed off
settled in rear, headway over 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to take 3rd final stride
pulled hard in touch, ridden 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, no impression when switched right inside final furlong
A tight little handicap here with 9lb separating the top-weight and bottom-weight. BANK ON BENNY is nominated to win it with cheek-pieces now replacing blinkers. Quite a few dangers can be put forward including L'Homme de Nuit, Master At Arms and Sir Sandicliffe. Bank On Benny was a good winner on his penultimate start but just found a rival with a better turn of foot too strong last time out. He should be competitive off this mark although will need the splits come the business end of the race. L'Homme de Nuit is 5lb higher for his last victory while Master At Arms looks to be a touch high in the weights at the moment. He is a strong stayer though which is an asset against some rivals with stamina reservations while Sir Sandicliffe is another that will be doing his best work in the closing stages. Augustus John would be of some interest if attracting market support, being closely matched with L'Homme de Nuit on their most recent clash. Bank On Benny is given the vote to land it.
Master At Arms 5-1 (9-4) Held up well in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, hung left and chased winner final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Keenes Day (9-7) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Mikado 50-1 (9-9) Always rear division, last of 20, 35l behind Wells Lyrical (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Oct.
Bank On Benny 4-1 (9-2) Held up mid-division, improved 4f out, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, driven to lead inside final furlong, soon headed and kept on, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Turban Heights (9-7) at Great Leighs 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Calculating (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Held up in rear, ridden well over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 10l behind Keenes Day (9-7) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Oct.
Inchpast 7-2 (10-0) Always behind, ridden and struggling over 4f out, 8th of 11, 15l behind Bank On Benny (9-3) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Dayia (IRE) 9-2 (9-4) Started slowly, soon pushed along in rear, hard ridden 3f out, headway from 2f out, kept on final furlong, nearest finish, 4th of 8, 2l behind Sibi Saba (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Nov.
Augustus John (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) In touch and keen, led over 3f out, headed 1f out, one pace, 3rd of 13, 2l behind L'Homme de Nuit (9-9) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Victory Quest (IRE) 22-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, stayed on again inside final furlong, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Bank On Benny (9-3) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Roman Villa (USA) 7-2 (10-7) Held up, headway to 7th 2f out, ridden in 6th 1 1/2f out, no extra, kept on same pace, 6th of 15, 6l behind Paramount (10-11) at Bellewstown 1m 5f stk gf in Jul.
Spider Silk 6-1 (9-1) Behind, pushed along over 5f out, effort over 1f out, soon hung left, stayed on, never dangerous, 4th of 6, 19l behind Precision Break (9-4) at Great Leighs 1m 5f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Sir Sandicliffe (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Towards rear, plenty to do when headway over 1f out, switched right final furlong, ran on, not reach winner, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Irish Ballad (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
L'Homme de Nuit (GER) 4-1 (9-9) Steadied start, held up, headway over 4f out, ridden to lead 1f out, all out, held on, won at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov beating Baan (9-9) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Swords 13-2 (9-3) Took keen hold, always behind, 8th of 9, 8l behind Remember Ramon (9-7) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
