went left and bumped start, held up in rear, headway on outside well over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, held on
prominent, ridden over 2f out, no impression from over 1f out, one pace
went right and bumped start, took keen hold in mid-division, headway 4f out, led well over 1f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, lost place 4f out, switched right and headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, just held
led, headed over 4f out, led 3f out, soon headed, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon headed, kept on
prominent, ridden and pressing leaders over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in rear, ridden and headway 1f out, stayed on, no impression on leaders
slowly away, took keen hold, rapid headway to lead over 4f out, headed 3f out, not much room when dropping away over 2f out
Rubenstar was withdrawn from a race at Lingfield on Saturday where he would have gone unpenalised. The fact that he is running here suggests connections are confident of a big run. Trainer George Baker does very well with moderate animals and has managed to find three races here for SADDLERS BEND. The five-year-old was beaten in a seller over a mile at Lingfield last time but had little chance at the weights and this is his track and trip. He had Downhill Skier behind when successful here in November and there appears no reason for a form reversal. Irish raider Little Luxury was heavily backed at Kempton last time but could only manage one pace after racing prominently. She may well be better than that and looks a threat while El Libertador, despite his maiden status after 23 starts, has produced some decent efforts and is 10lb lower than when in good form at this time a year ago.
Rubenstar (IRE) 11-4fav (9-7) Raced in 4th and off strong pace, went 3rd 3f out, closed well over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ridden out and drew clear inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 7f app hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Lord Deevert (8-12) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Little Luxury (IRE) 6-4fav (8-12) Mid-division, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 10, 5l behind Hippique (8-12) at Kempton 7f mdn auc stks (6) pol in Dec.
Spinning Ridge (IRE) 9-1 (9-6) Slowly away, ridden and recovered to lead over 5f out, over 3 lengths ahead halfway until ridden well over 1f out, headed and weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 11, 4l behind Buxton (9-7) at Lingfield 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Saddlers Bend (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Soon steadied in touch on inside, headway to 3rd 2f out, stayed on to 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Faithful Ruler (8-10) at Lingfield 1m app sll stks (6) pol in Dec.
Zeffirelli 50-1 (9-6) In touch, hedway 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 12, 6l behind Khajaaly (9-6) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov.
El Libertador (USA) 9-1 (9-2) Mid-division on inside, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 11, 8l behind Highland Harvest (9-6) at Lingfield 7f hcp (0-65) (6) pol in Dec.
Trade Centre 12-1 (9-10) Held up in touch, took keen hold, ridden over 2f out, edged right over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 6l behind Out Of Nothing (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Sep.
Downhill Skier (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, outpaced over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, edged left and kept on inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 4th of 11, 2l behind Penrod Ballantyne (9-0) at Southwell 7f hcp (0-55) (6) fbs.
Memphis Man 16-1 (8-7) Behind, outpaced 3f out, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 7th of 10, 8l behind Sir Louis (8-7) at Southwell 6f hacp 0-70 (5) fbs.
