chased leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, never troubled leaders after
soon towards rear, came wide straight, and headway well over 1f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, to press for 2nd, no chance with winner
in touch, ridden on outside and outpaced 3f out, effort well over 1f out, hard ridden over 1f out, soon weakened
soon tracking leader, led 7f out to 5f out, under pressure over 3f out and soon lost place
in touch, headway to track leader 2f out, led well over 1f out, pressed when bumped by winner over 1f out, headed 1f out, no chance with winner final furlong, just held on for 2nd
held up towards rear, headway well over 2f out, ridden to challenge and hung left over 1f out, led 1f out, driven clear
held up in rear, headway on inside well over 1f out, never reached leaders, one pace final furlong
led to 7f out, chased leader, led again 5f out, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, headway to chased leaders 7f out, went 2nd 3f out, until over 2f out, soon ridden and weakened
slowly into stride, held up towards rear, good headway on inside 2f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, unable to quicken well inside final furlong
Enough pace in the race to ensure a good gallop and BOUND BY HONOUR is taken to swoop late and defeat Mr Willis and Grand Opera. Gary Moore's gelding was given a good ride by George Baker when successful last time out at Lingfield and has earned his 5lb higher mark. With the nagging doubt that the win there may be a case of 'job done', there is still an urge to side with him given the make-up of this race. There looks to be a number of front-runners here including Laterly (dropping in trip), Brouhaha (high enough in the weights), and Red Somerset (out of form), which should suit the hold-up horses. Full Toss will have confidence high after a claiming win, Faithful Ruler looks high enough in the weights, whilst Mr Willis is progressing well but the Lingfield specialist is up in the weights and unproven at the track. Ireland is well-represented again, including Grand Opera who looks a tricky ride but was given a peach to win at Dundalk last time out. Waldvogel is another who looks hard to win with, and so it is Bound By Honour who can win again.
Bound By Honour (SAF) 11-4fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, joined leader over 4f out, led 3f out, ridden clear approaching final furlong, heavily eased towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov beating The Cayterers (8-12) by 1l, 9 ran.
Waldvogel (IRE) 13-2 (9-8) Held up, headway on outside over 3f out, ridden to go 2nd over 1f out, kept on final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Bab Al Salam (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Grand Opera (IRE) 4-1 (9-10) Tracked leaders on inner, 5th halfway, 4th into straight, switched to challenge 2f out, led under 1f out, kept on well under pressure, won at Dundalk 1m Ext hcp pol in Nov beating Avanti Albert (9-8) by hd, 9 ran.
Laterly (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Tracked leader after 3f, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon headed and weakened, 5th of 9, 17l behind Dirar (8-11) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) pol.
Mr Willis Evensfav (9-8) Held up in touch, pushed along 3f out, wide and headway entering final 2f, soon ridden, edged left and led inside final furlong, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-80 (4) pol beating Pegasus Again (9-5) by 1l, 8 ran.
Splinter Cell (USA) 4-1 (8-13) Soon led at steady pace, ridden and headed 3f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 7l behind Bound By Honour (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Faithful Ruler (USA) 16-1 (8-13) Held up towards rear in slowly run race, pushed along over 2f out, not clear run over 1f out until inside final furlong, ran on take 4th close home, 4th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Bound By Honour (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) pol in Nov.
Brouhaha 8-1 (9-7) Led to over 6f out, chased leader, regained lead well over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and unable to quicken final 100 yards, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Just Bond (9-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Red Somerset (USA) 14-1 (8-8) Dwelt, soon tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakening when short of room over 1f out, 9th of 10, 10l behind Falcativ (8-11) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-95 (3) pol.
Full Toss 4-6fav (9-5) Held up in rear, headway on inside entering final 2f, driven to lead inside final furlong, soon pressed, held on gamely, won at Lingfield 1m 2f clm stks (6) pol beating Traphalgar (9-8) by hd, 8 ran.
Monteriggioni (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, last approaching straight, smooth headway on outer from 2f out, 3rd 1f out, kept on well under pressure, nearest at finish, 3rd of 14, 1/2l behind Funatfuntasia (9-10) at Dundalk 1m 3f stks pol in Nov.
