held up in rear, ridden and weakened over 2f out
chased clear leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led and soon clear, headed over 4f out, weakened approaching 3f out
mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to take 2nd well inside final furlong
in touch, led over 4f out, made rest unchallenged
mid-division, took closer order 3f out, ridden to soon chase winner, hung right final furlong, lost 2nd towards finish
keen, held up, took closer order 3f out, ridden over 2f out, hung left to stand side rail over 1f out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
TWICE OVER will be fancied to get the better of Virtual and Bushman in a race where few can be considered. Henry Cecil has his team in good nick and he saddled the winner of this race last year so the portents are good for Twice Over who came within a short-head of upsetting Raven's Pass on his first run of last season and chased home New Approach on the last; not surprisingly, that form sets the standard. Virtual's season just got better and better and back to back wins at Listed level in the autumn suggest that he's more than capable of making his mark at this tier. Whether, he's ready to take on a horse like Twice Over at this stage of his career though is open to question. Bushman burst onto the scene with a stunning display in a Sandown handicap and was thought by many to be capable of holding his own at this level but he has a little to prove after two below par performances. Tazeez was reported to be a machine at home but it took some time for the penny to drop on the racetrack although his timing can't be questioned given that everything came together in the Cambridgeshire. He has plenty of potential but isn't felt by his trainer to be in the same league as their 2007 Cambridgeshire winner Pipedreamer. Barshiba and Lady Deauville could run well in defeat but it would be a surprise were they able to match strides with Twice Over.
Emerald Wilderness (IRE) 11-4fav (9-6) Slowly away, held up in last, still there over 2f out, soon switched left, pushed along and ran on strongly to lead and edged right final 100 yards, won at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Feb beating John Terry (8-10) by nk, 11 ran.
Logic Way (USA) 12-1 (8-4) Hedge, no late gain, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Presious Passion (8-6) at Calder Race Course(USA) 1m 4f cond Stakes in Dec.
Nomoretaxes (UAE) (8-6) last of 12, 29l behind Protector (8-9) at Nad Al Sheba(UAE) 6f hcp std in Jan '07.
Steele Tango (USA) 2-1fav (9-3) Held up in touch, headway well over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, stayed on strongly under pressure final furlong, just held, 2nd of 10, hd behind Tazeez (9-11) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcap (2) gs in Aug.
Tazeez (USA) 25-1 (9-2) Raced centre, pressed leaders, led just over 3f out, headed over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, ran on to regain lead well inside final furlong, won at Newmarket 1m 1f hcap (2) gf in Oct beating Nanton (7-13) by 1l, 28 ran.
Twice Over 8-1 (8-12) Mid-division, headway when switched right 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 6l behind New Approach (8-12) at Newmarket 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Barshiba (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Pulled hard, close up, improved to chase leader over 1f out, ridden to lead and hung left inside final furlong, won at Newmarket 1m 2f fll lst stks (1) gd in Oct beating Fragrancy (9-2) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Bushman 9-2 (9-0) Held up, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 7th of 9, 9l behind Lady Deauville (8-7) at Ayr 1m 2f Listed stks (1) hvy in Sep.
Lady Deauville (FR) (8-10) 10th of 11, 19l behind Court Canibal (8-11) at Saint-cloud(FR) 1m 2f stk in Mar.
Virtual 4-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2f out, soon ridden, driven to lead towards finish, won at Newmarket 1m Listed stks (1) gs in Nov beating General Eliott (8-11) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
