PERSIAN SNOW's defeat of Balding Banker over this C&D in October was franked by the runner-up's comfortable success at Newbury and Philip Hobbs' strapping gelding can double his tally today. Spanish Treasure beat a big field at Punchestown in April and it will be interesting to see how he fares on his UK debut, while Accordingtojodie is another Irish import making a first start for new connections. Batonnier has more to do than when winning at Fontwell, but Wassailing Queen scored by six lengths at Warwick despite running green and receives a 7lb fillies' allowance here.
Accordingtojodie (IRE) 4-5fav (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, 2nd travelling well 3f out, led entering straight, pushed out and went clear final furlong, easily, won at Galway 2m 4yo nhf gf in Aug beating Star Neuville (11-4) by 4l, 7 ran.
Airmen's Friend (IRE) Craigsteel gelding out of High Academy.
Aldiva Alflora gelding out of Diva.
Balding Banker (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd over halfway, led 4f out, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) gs in Nov beating Gospel Preacher (11-0) by 10l, 9 ran.
Batonnier (FR) 10-11fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway on inner over 4f out to chase leaders, led over 2f out, kept on well, ridden out, won at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) gd in May beating Marching Song (10-12) by 2l, 9 ran.
Fringe Theatre King's Theatre gelding out of Second Best.
Get Ready To Go (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in 5th, effort 7f out, weakened 5f out, tailed off, 6th of 7, 50l behind Poole Master (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) sft in Nov.
Iznt Getting Court (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Keen tracked leaders, went 2nd 5f out until ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 13l behind Catspan (11-2) at Fakenham 2m nhf (5) gd in Oct.
Landenstown Legend (IRE) Exit To Nowhere gelding out of Shannon Rose.
Oscara Dara (IRE) Oscar gelding out of Lisa's Storm.
Paddy The Hare (IRE) Old Vic gelding out of Boragh Thyme.
Persian Snow (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway over 4f out, soon chasing leaders, led over 2f out, driven clear, ran on strongly, won at Ascot 2m NH flat (4) gd in Oct beating Balding Banker (11-0) by 6l, 12 ran.
Rose Of The Moon (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway over 5f out, ridden to chase leaders and hung left over 1f out, kept on well under pressure towards finish, 4th of 15, 6l behind Rock On Ruby (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m NH flat Listed (1) gs in Nov.
Spanish Treasure (GER) 16-1 (11-7) Led early, prominent, led again before straight, ridden clear from 2f out, stayed on well final furlong, eased as loose horse got close near finish, won at Punchestown 2m 4yo nhf gd in Apr beating Valleymount (10-9) by 4l, 25 ran.
Tenby Jewel (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, kept on for clear 2nd, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Valley Lad (11-0) at Ffos Las 1m 6f nhf (5) sft in Nov.
Mintiverdi 4-1fav (10-9) Held up, headway over 4f out, led over 1f out, kept on well, ridden out, won at Kempton 2m mdn NH flat (4) gd in Feb '09 beating Time To Think (10-0) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
Spe Salvi (IRE) 2-5fav (10-9) Prominent, ran green throughout, led over 2f out, swerved badly right and crashed through rails and ran out inside final furlong, in a race won by La Belle Au Bois (10-5) at Fontwell 1m 6f N H flat (6) gd in Sep, 5 ran.
Wassailing Queen 6-1 (10-9) Raced wide, prominent, led 5f out, came clear final 2f, easily, won at Warwick 2m N H flat (5) gd in Nov beating Whoops A Daisy (11-2) by 6l, 16 ran.
