behind, ridden over 2f out, no headway, weakened over 1f out
held up, headway over 1f out on outer, ridden to lead inside final furlong, asserted near finish
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, kept on until weakened final furlong, eased towards finish
pulled hard and tracked leader to over 2f out, soon ridden, no impression and weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, chased leader 2f out, led over 1f out to inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leaders on inside, not clear run over 1f out, no real progress when clear final furlong
in rear, switched right to outer over 1f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, nearest finish
took keen hold in mid-division, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not pace of winner
slowly into stride, in rear, headway well over 1f out, chased leaders, one pace final furlong
The step back up to a mile will undoubtedly suit Wavertree Warrior who was doing all his best work late in the day, and so he is selected to beat the winner that day Bomber Command, with Orchard Supreme also rating a live danger. The selection was closing like a train a week ago and would have got up in another few strides, and the hope is that this slightly longer trip will play into his hoofs. Bomber Command has been in fine form this winter on the all-weather for his promising apprentice, however the feeling is that this trip could slightly stretch him and as he is yet to win over the distance he is opposed today. Richard Hannon has his stable in fine fettle and Orchard Supreme doesn't know how to run a bad race, and although he is back over his optimum trip today, the handicapper may just be catching up with him. If this is made a true test, Prince Tum Tum should struggle as he is better over shorter, although a tactical race would play to his strengths, and the same applies to Jamie Toller's Secret Night. Of the rest, Psychiatrist is a course and distance winner and drops back from ten furlongs in the hope that it will galvanise him, whilst Paraguay is badly out of form at present. So for the winner then, we return to Nick Littmoden's Wavertree Warrior.
Xtra Torrential (USA) 33-1 (8-11) Steadied towards rear, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Areyoutalkingtome (9-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Yarqus 25-1 (9-8) Led, headed 3f out, weakened rapidly inside final 2f, 14th of 16, 11l behind Killena Boy (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcap (2) pol in Sept.
Psychiatrist 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 8, 16l behind Speedy Sam (8-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Bomber Command (USA) 2-1fav (8-9) Prominent, tracked leader halfway, shaken up to lead over 1f out, edged right and kept on, won at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol beating Wavertree Warrior (8-13) by a nk, 12 ran.
Prince Tum Tum (USA) 8-1 (9-2) Mid-division, headway to 1f out to chase leaders, not reach winner, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind First Order (9-2) at W'hampton 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Wavertree Warrior (IRE) 6-1 (8-13) In touch, stayed on from over 1f out, ran on well and gaining near finish, 2nd of 12, nk behind Bomber Command (8-9) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Secret Night 10-1 (8-2) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, headway final furlong, never nearer, 9th of 13, 6l behind Areyoutalkingtome (8-13) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
