Modulus continues to improve and defied a penalty to win at Sedgefield during the week. Hills Of Dubai has been thereabouts in maiden hurdles and represents last year’s winning yard while Magic Dancer has every chance having placed in both starts in handicaps so far. But LITTLE BRUCE was upped in class off an 11lb higher mark last time having landed a double before that with victories at Wetherby and Ayr. Philip Kirby’s charge gets the nod back in this grade with a conditionals’ allowance helping his cause.
Little Bruce (IRE) 6-4fav (11-2) Held up in rear, hit and outpaced 3 out, headway and every chance 2 out, weakened run-in, 3rd of 5, 11 1/4l behind Political Quiz (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Modulus 7-4fav (12-1) Led until 3rd, chased leader until before 4th where not fluent, chased leaders, pushed along mistake and lost 3rd next, rallied to lead again on long run before 2 out until 2 out, upsides last, ridden to lead again run-in, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Manwell (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Hills Of Dubai (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led 2nd, ridden and headed before 2 out, not fluent last, one pace flat, 3rd of 10, 3 1/4l behind Faraway Mountain (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Jun.
Misfits (IRE) 4-1 (12-1) Tracked leaders, led before 5 out, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 31l behind Simmply Sam (10-9) at Ayr 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Suggestion 25-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway after 4 out, 3rd before next, no impression, well held when jumped left and not fluent 2 out, went left again last, 3rd of 8, dist behind Thumb Stone Blues (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) sft in Mar.
Magic Dancer 8-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, just held onto 3rd, 3rd of 11, 4 3/4l behind Cleni Wells (11-4) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
