chased leaders, headway to chase clear leader over 2f out, ridden to lead entering final furlong, pushed out, readily
slowly away well in rear, headway over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, nearest finish
keen led and soon clear, reduced lead 2f out, ridden and headed entering final furlong, kept on
tracked clear leader until ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
very slowly away, pushed along and headway to go moderate 4th 6f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Valley of Rocks never threatened in a couple of starts over 7f last year while Evening Hill was still beaten over three lengths when runner-up at Kempton on his debut. Zulu finished only a modest fourth at Salisbury more recently but any of the above may improve enough to go close. However, a speculative vote goes to the Hannon newcomer SONNETIST, a half-brother to four winners and preferred to Queen Moon and Act Swiftly, especially if the betting speaks in his favour.
Act Swiftly (IRE) Requinto gelding out of Silk Point.
Evening Hill 20-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 14, 3 1/4l behind Black Bolt (9-2) at Kempton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Nov.
Sonnetist Poet's Voice colt out of Society Rose.
Valley of Rocks (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Steadied start, pulled hard, headway to chase leaders over 4f out, 2nd halfway, led 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 4 3/4l behind Utmost (9-0) at Leicester 7f mdn stks (4) gf in Oct.
Zulu 22-1 (9-1) Went left start, led, headed halfway, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, kept on one pace, 4th of 7, 5 1/4l behind Snow Squaw (8-10) at Salisbury 7f mdn stks (5) fm in Apr.
Kyshoni (IRE) Casamento filly out of Curious Lashes.
Queen Moon (IRE) Lawman filly out of Movie Queen.