Below is the result based on 711 races using Betfair SP at 10 seconds before close and the final SP. It shows the No 1 ranked horse at the 10 second mark mainly retains that position at close (85%) and the other 14% comes from horses that were ranked either 2 or 3 at the 10 second mark. And true to form those 1st rank in both places win 32% of the time! ... Fred

10 Sec	Close	Number	%age	Won	%age
1	1	607	85%	196	32%
2	1	84	12%	14	17%
3	1	12	2%	2	17%
Other	1	8	1%	1	13%
	Total:	711		213	30%