tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2f out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace
chased leader, led 7f out, ridden, headed 3f out, one pace
held up towards rear, struggling 6f out
tracked leaders, weakened over 5f out
held up towards rear, one pace from over 3f out
held up mid-division, one pace final 2f
held up mid-division, weakened over 3f out
tracked leaders, led 3f out, stayed on well from over 1f out
held up, ridden along over 4f out, stayed on final 2f
led until 7f out, weakened 5f out
held up towards rear, headway halfway, ridden 3f out, one pace
held up mid-division, pushed along 4f out, chased winner over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, kept on, no impression
A big field for this bumper but they will all struggle to hold Kingsben, who is taken to defy a penalty and score for Alan Swinbank, while La Pantera Rosa, Adieu Mari and Bambino Rossi are all respected. The selection beat Bambino Rossi by five lengths over c&d recently, when both had had the benefit of a previous outing. A literal interpretation of the form might lead us to conclude that Bambino Rossi should be the pick, but the Swinbank runner could have won by a bit further and looks capable of defying the penalty. La Pantera Rosa put in a nice debut at Musselburgh last month and can clearly improve for that. Adieu Mari is an interesting debutante from a good yard and is related to winners in France, so market confidence would be interesting, but Kingsben has both experience and ability and will be hard to beat.
Kingsben 11-8fav (11-4) Raced keenly and soon in touch, headway to lead over 3f out, stayed on well, won at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gd beating Bambino Rossi (10-4) by 5l, 13 ran.
Adieu Mari (FR) Adieu Au Roi gelding, half-brother to winning hurdler Syr Mari.
Arctic Rock 15-2 (11-2) Led, ridden 3f out, headed and no extra near finish, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Keene Spirit (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Nov.
Charlie Chan Paris House gelding, half-brother to 6f-1m1f winner Rambo Waltzer.
Cloisters Hill 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, 4th of 8, 13l behind Keene Spirit (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nhf (6) gf in Nov.
Fernandina (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Tracked leader until weakened over 4f out, 12th of 17, 36l behind Queen Poline (10-1) at Haydock 2m nhf (4) sft in Nov.
Great Breeze (IRE) Great Palm gelding out of flat and chase winner Grouse-N-Heather.
Jardines Jack Moshaajir gelding out of a lightly-raced mare.
Le Platino (GER) 8-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 12, 14l behind Killyglen (11-2) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) sft in Nov.
Massapoag (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, chased leaders over 6f out, effort over 3f out, soon ridden and one pace, 7th of 15, 24l behind Corkage (11-2) at Doncaster 2m nhf (5) gf.
Sharp Daniel 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led over 6f out, headed over 3f out, soon ridden and weakened, 10th of 13, 35l behind Kingsben (11-4) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gd.
Bambino Rossi 40-1 (10-4) Behind, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, kept on, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Kingsben (11-4) at Catterick 2m nhf (5) gd.
Lady Rapido (IRE) Presenting mare out of a moderate racemare.
Lady Victoria 100-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 14th of 16, well behind According To Pete (11-6) at Catterick 2m nhf (H) gd in Nov '05.
Seadip Sea Raven filly out of a lightly-raced mare.
La Pantera Rosa (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Still At Lunch (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m mdn nhf (6) gs in Nov.
