made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on
towards rear, headway on inside over 1f out, one pace final furlong
towards rear, steady headway over 3f out, kept on
mid-division, soon driven along, behind final 2f
in touch, ridden 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, plugged on
slowly into stride, held up, shaken and headway approaching final furlong, switched left and took 2nd well inside final furlong
STAR STRIDER won very easily on his last start and can follow up for Gay Kelleway and Hayley Turner. He tended to travel extremely well through that contest and is evidently a horse in fine form while the yard do well with the horses they turn out quickly. Princely Hero was a smart handicapper for Dermet Weld in Ireland and made a winning debut for Marco Botti on his last start. This is not as strong a heat as those he has contested in the past while market support for him should be noted. Just Bond bids for his ninth course victory and is closely weighted with Follow The Flag on their last clash where Just Bond was behind Alan McCabe's charge. Jawaab and Premier Danseur need to find something to score and the pick is Star Strider.
Abbondanza (IRE) 10-1 (9-6) Tracked leader, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed entering final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Mahadee (8-13) at Great Leighs 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Princely Hero (IRE) 12-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, headway going well over 1f out, hung left and led inside final furlong, ridden out, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov beating Follow The Flag (8-7) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Just Bond (IRE) 9-2 (9-3) Held up, headway over 2f out, hung right and kept on final furlong, 4th of 9, 2l behind Spinning (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Premier Danseur (IRE) 7-1 (8-4) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, one pace, 8th of 10, 8l behind Internationaldebut (9-2) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Justcallmehandsome 10-1 (8-12) Mid-division, pushed along 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Princely Hero (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Jawaab (IRE) 7-2fav (8-13) Tracked leaders, driven and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Spinning (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Ocean Legend (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Mid-division, headway 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong to press for 2nd near finish, no impression on winner, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Randama Bay (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Follow The Flag (IRE) 5-1 (8-6) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, led over 1f out until no extra, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Spinning (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Star Strider 6-1 (9-5) Slowly into stride, held up last, headway on outside over 1f out, hung left, led inside final furlong, won going away, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating Yakama (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.