HOLD THE GOLD is 4lb better off with Royal Amnesty for a neck beating at this venue last time and can reverse the form on these terms. It would be foolish to disregard Royal Amnesty this time and he is a danger while Just Bond, who has just struggled of late having scored at Haydock three starts back is another to consider. Hold The Gold's performance was all the more creditable given the fact he was held-up off a slow pace and those closer to the front end did get first run on him. He has been lightly raced this season and could well have further improvement to come. Royal Amnesty just does enough when winning his races so from that point of view it is hard to know whether he can defy his further 4lb rise. Like the selection, Just Bond is a hold-up performer who will need a fast pace to materialise while Dragon Slayer and Prince Of Light, who has quite a bit to find with both Hold The Gold and Royal Amnesty has dropped down the ratings and if showing any of his old sparkle would be a contender. Hold The Gold is taken the land the finale. (John McDonnell)
Capable Guest (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Mid-division, driven and headway over 2f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, 16l behind La Sarrazine (8-5) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) sft in Oct.
Scartozz 8-1 (9-0) Mid-division, pushed along on outer over 3f out, beaten when hung right over 1f out, 7th of 10, 5l behind Samarinda (8-13) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Oct.
Scamperdale 8-1 (10-0) Held up, headway from 3f out, went 2nd briefly over 2f out, weakened soon after, last of 11, 37l behind Australia Day (9-2) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
Sam Lord 12-1 (9-2) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, not clear run inside final furlong, kept on, not trouble leaders, 6th of 16, 5l behind Hunting Country (8-4) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jul.
Just Bond (IRE) 5-1 (9-8) Held up on outside, pushed along 3f out, soon no chance, last of 8, 10l behind Royal Amnesty (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Prince of Light (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Royal Amnesty (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
Royal Amnesty 5-2fav (8-13) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, covered up and going well when not clear run over 1f out, switched right inside final furlong, ran on strongly to lead near finish, won at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct beating Hold The Gol.
Dragon Slayer (IRE) 16-1 (8-11) Keen, tracked leader after 2f, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 4l behind Best Prospect (9-9) at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) sft in Oct.
Hold The Gold (IRE) 9-1 (8-6) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Royal Amnesty (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Oct.
