tracked leader, driven to challenge over 2f out, soon lost place
started very slowly, always behind
tracked leader, led over 2f out, drew clear entering final furlong, easily
led until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, never on terms
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased winner approaching final furlong, never a threat
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Hound Music bolted up over 1m2f here last month and should make a bold bid to defy a 9lb hike in the weights as she's just as well suited by today's quicker going. But we just prefer the lightly-raced HEARTLESS, who won her maiden on good to firm going at Newbury last July and was put away after finishing third on her handicap debut the same track the following month. She is, however, closely matched with Southwell winner Kuriosa on the form book and Saumur and Deep Blue Diamond were both running well in this grade last year. Eager Beaver should be winning soon while Indira is fit from an all-weather campaign.
Kuriosa (IRE) 11-8fav (9-0) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, hung right under pressure when challenged over 1f out, ran on well, won at Southwell 1m 3f mdn fll stks (4) pol in Jan beating Fair's Fair (9-0) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Heartless 8-1 (8-13) Slowly into ctride, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 12, 4 1/4l behind Kastini (9-5) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Indira 4-1 (9-6) Led early, close up, headway entering final 2f, ridden to press winner inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Fast Pick (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp fll (5) pol in Apr.
Eager Beaver 8-1 (9-0) Led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, kept on same pace, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Ballynanty (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Hound Music 7-2 (8-9) Held up in touch, smooth headway over 2f out, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, edged right but ran on well, eased close home, won at Bath 1m 2f hcp fll (4) sft in Apr beating Dizzey Heights (9-1) by 4l, 5 ran.
Saumur 12-1 (8-8) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 4 3/4l behind Agent Gibbs (9-3) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Poetic Verse 9-1 (9-7) In touch, under pressure over 3f out, switched right to race towards stand side over 2f out, soon beaten, 12th of 13, 34 3/4l behind Card High (9-0) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Deep Blue Diamond 14-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd when ridden inside final 2f, kept on same pace, no impression with winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Kiltara (9-7) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
