Vitznau can show the benefit of his run in the Lincoln and defy topweight, perhaps at the main expense of Presumptive and El Bosque. The selection ran well on the far side at Doncaster before seemingly failing to see out the mile. He's likely to have been well enough primed for that test but it can only have helped to bring him on and he drops to his optimum trip today. Presumptive hasn't had a great deal of racing over the years but has lost none of his ability and should go well with course and distance to suit. There were just a few signs last year that the handicapper may be in charge though and El Bosque could be of more interest for the future. He was hammered by the assessor for a mightily impressive performance at Ripon in July. He was always struggling against his elders after that but he's slipped a bit in the weights and has another year on his back now and is one to watch with interest. As far as today's concerned though, we think Vitznau can steal the booty.
Vitznau (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Raced far side, held up in touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 21, 12l behind Smokey Oakey (8-9) at Doncaster 1m hcap (2) gs in Mar.
Party Boss 8-1 (9-2) Soon led, headed after 2f out, remained in touch, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Benandonner (8-4) at Southwell 1m hcap (2) fbs.
Presumptive (IRE) 33-1 (8-11) Behind, switched left and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong but never nearer, 4th of 23, 2 1/2l behind Candidato Roy (9-7) at Ascot 7f hcap (2) gs in Sept.
El Bosque (IRE) 28-1 (9-3) With leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 12, 12l behind Danehillsundance (8-7) at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp (2) gf in Sept.
Monkey Glas (IRE) 4-1 (8-10) Made all, held on under pressure, won at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Mar beating Buxton (8-6) by a hd, 7 ran.
Red Cape (FR) 33-1 (8-12) Held up behind leaders, driven over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 8, 13l behind Benandonner (8-4) at Southwell 1m hcap (2) fbs.
Esteem Machine (USA) 11-1 (9-0) Raced wide, mid-division, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 11l behind Conquest (9-0) at Lingfield 5f lst stk (1) pol in Mar.
Hazzard County (USA) 16-1 (8-10) Always behind, 13th of 14, 14l behind Very Wise (9-5) at Newmarket 1m hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Nov.
Mr Garston 9-2 (9-4) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 15, 8l behind Nawaqees (8-6) at Goodwood 1m hcap (4) gd in May.
Resplendent Nova 10-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, not pace to challenge over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Markab (9-1) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
