soon led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
always towards rear
mid-division, headway 7f out, ridden 4f out, hung left from over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, kept on
led early, prominent, ridden to lead again over 1f out, ran on
held up, headway 3f out, ridden 2f out, kept on go 2nd inside final furlong, never troubled winner
prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakening when not much room over 2f out
keen, in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened 3f out
A few old friends here and we side with Billich ahead of Champagne Shadow and Gallileo Figaro. Billich has always hinted at ability but the switch to extreme trips appears to have unlocked that latent ability and with his handicap mark obtained from races over shorter, there is every reason to believe that there could be more to come. Champagne Shadow was behind our selection last time out and given that the gelding has not won beyond 1m4f; we elect to oppose. Gallileo Figaro had no chance with Market Watcher on Saturday but is greatly flattered by the margin of proximity as they breached the finish line. Bay Hawk is not the most obvious stayer despite running over this far over hurdles. Ariodante is on all-weather debut. Billich is backed to follow up.
Billich 9-4 (9-9) Took keen hold, held up, headway 7f out, led 3f out, ridden over 2f out, edged right inside final furlong, driven out, won at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov beating Flame Creek (9-6) by a nk, 9 ran.
Bay Hawk 9-2 (8-9) Tracked leaders, every chance over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 8, 3l behind Nando's Dream (8-4) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Champagne Shadow (IRE) 15-8fav (10-0) Prominent, ridden 4f out, edged left and one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Billich (9-9) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Salute (IRE) 5-1 (9-10) In touch and keen, ridden 4f out, stayed on towards finish, not reach leaders, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Your Amount (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Marikhar (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) Always behind, trailing final furlong, 12th of 15, well behind Orpen Princess (8-11) at Downpatrick 1m 5f app hcp 0-70 gd in Sept.
Ariodante 13-2 (9-3) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 9, 11l behind Fear To Tread (9-3) at Warwick 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Aug.
Gallileo Figaro (USA) 16-1 (9-4) Led 5f out, ridden over 2f out, headed 1f out, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Market Watcher (9-9) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Lord of Beauty (FR) 50-1 (9-5) Always towards rear, 6th of 8, 14l behind Quince (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.