soon steadied, held up, switched left after 1f, not clear run from over 1f out until inside final furlong, running on when not clear run towards finish, never able to challenge
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and headway 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up, raced keenly, switched right over 1f out, late headway, never dangerous
tracked leaders, switched left well over 1f out, soon edged left, went 2nd briefly well inside final furlong, one pace
chased leaders, came wide straight, soon ridden and weakened
prominent until ridden and weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, took keen hold in rear, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden and edged left from over 1f out, headway entering final furlong, ran on to go 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner
with winner 3f, soon ridden, held when not much room well inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, one pace inside final furlong
mid-division, weakened 1f out
made all, ridden and edged right over 1f out, ran on well
ADMIRAL BOND can land this competitive opener at the main expense of Ryedane and Punching. The selection is not ideally drawn but he won with plenty in hand last time out and with that confidence booster under his belt he looks capable of going in again. Ryedane is a course specialist and he has a good low draw today. He wasn't beaten far behind Northern Empire last time but he is better over 6f and on that basis he is opposed. Punching ran well from a poor draw at Southwell last time but he has a wide draw to overcome again today and his overall strike-rate on the all-weather is poor. Ten Down has hinted that his turn might not be far away so Mick Quinn's 3-year-old is certainly worth a market check, but in an open affair we will stick with Admiral Bond.
Punching 12-1 (8-11) In touch, ridden over 2f, every chance when edged left approaching final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Calmdownmate (8-12) at Southwell 5f sll (6) fbs in Dec.
Grand Palace (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) In touch on inside until weakened well over 1f out, last of 12, 12l behind Chjimes (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Royal Manor 10-1 (8-12) Held up 4th, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, faded towards finish, 6th of 12, 1l behind Musical Script (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Ten Down 10-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, weakened, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Thoughtsofstardom (9-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Liberty Ship 11-2 (8-12) In touch, effort over 1f out, not quicken, 5th of 10, 3l behind Richelieu (9-1) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Metal Guru 8-1 (9-3) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 2f out, not quicken over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 5th of 10, 3l behind Cosmic Destiny (9-4) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Gwilym (GER) 12-1 (8-13) Close up, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, 7th of 9, 7l behind Musical Script (8-11) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Bluebok 17-2 (8-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Thoughtsofstardom (9-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Admiral Bond (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Mid-division, ridden halfway, driven to lead entering final furlong, stayed on well, won at Southwell 5f mdn stk (5) fbs in Dec beating Summer Rose (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Decider (USA) 50-1 (8-7) Led until headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 3l behind Musical Script (9-4) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Ryedane (IRE) 6-1 (8-3) Outpaced, stayed on final furlong to take 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Northern Empire (8-13) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Fitolini 16-1 (9-5) Dwelt mid-division halfway, soon weakened, last of 16, well behind Turn And River (8-8) at Carlisle 6f 3yo hcp (6) gd in Jun.
Nickel Silver 16-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, one pace, 4th of 8, 2l behind Northern Empire (8-13) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
