mid-division, ridden halfway, driven to lead entering final furlong, stayed on well
soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, soon driven, no extra
dwelt, outpaced, always in rear
soon ridden and outpaced, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
behind, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong, never nearer
mid-division, ridden halfway, never troubled leaders
chased leaders, ridden, weakened and eased over 1f out
chased leaders, effort over 1f out, driven one pace final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon driven and weakened
chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon driven and weakened
chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon driven and no impression
in rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous
prominent, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon driven and headed entering final furlong
ADMIRAL BOND has an obvious chance in this company and is selected ahead of Princess Charlmane and Rathmolyon. The last named has been consistent at this modest level and should again be capable of being on the premises if the fitting of a visor for the first time helps her combat her wide draw. Franny Norton is the right man in the plate, and a big effort can be expected from the daughter of Bahamian Bounty. Princess Charlmane finished the turf season with a handful of near misses, creating the impression she can find a race before too long. However, she failed to convince on this surface on her only previous visits so now has a bit to prove. Therefore we turn to Admiral Bond, who is back in a maiden after struggling in open-age handicaps. This is an easier assignment for the Reg Bond-owed gelding and it would come as no surprise to see him justify his position at the head of the BHA ratings with a storming effort.
Admiral Bond (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, soon held, 10th of 12, 12l behind Absa Lutte (9-0) at W'hampton 6f app hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Gelert (IRE) 7-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 11l behind Note Perfect (8-5) at Ayr 5f hcp 0-60 (6) hvy in Oct.
Jazzing About (USA) 20-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, headway halfway, ridden over 1f out, 7th of 11, 8l behind Group Therapy (9-3) at Nottingham 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Apr '07.
Monte Cassino (IRE) 66-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden along halfway, edged left under pressure over 1f, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 4l behind Incomparable (8-11) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Nov.
Solemn 33-1 (8-11) Prominent, ridden along halfway, weakened over 1f, 9th of 13, 11l behind Megalo Maniac (8-12) at Southwell 6f app hcp (6) fbs in Oct.
Steel Mask (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Led, headed over 2f out, soon beaten, 14th of 15, 26l behind Harrison George (9-3) at Doncaster 6f mdn aut stk (5) gf in May.
Take That 66-1 (9-0) Prominent, ridden halfway, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 26l behind Eton Rifles (9-3) at Catterick 7f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) gs in Sept.
Bahamian Ballad 20-1 (8-12) Raced keenly, prominent, weakened 2f out, 11th of 13, 12l behind Tangerine Trees (9-3) at W'hampton 6f 3yo mdn aut (6) pol in Oct.
Firewalker 100-1 (8-12) Led, headed halfway, soon outpaced, weakened final furlong, 15th of 18, 16l behind Medici Time (9-3) at Redcar 6f mdn stk (5) gd in Oct.
Princess Charlmane (IRE) 12-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Highland Warrior (9-5) at Musselburgh 5f sll (6) sft in Aug.
Rathmolyon 12-1 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 13l behind Fast Freddie (9-0) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Stoneacre Chris (USA) 20-1 (8-3) Towards rear, never dangerous, 13th of 14, 18l behind Tenancy (8-7) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Nov.
Summer Rose 25-1 (7-9) Not much room start, soon tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 5l behind Enodoc (9-2) at Great Leighs 5f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Aug.
