tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed 1f out, soon one pace and no chance with winner
held up in 6th, in rear and outpaced 4f out, struggling after, modest late headway
tracked leading trio, headway over 2f out, went 3rd 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, soon clear
steadied start, held up in rear, some headway 4f out, ridden 3f out, soon struggling
tracked leading pair until hung left over 3f out and soon lost 3rd, rallied to 3rd again inside final furlong, no impression
held up in 5th, ridden and weakened over 3f out
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, chased leader until over 1f out, no impression when weakened to 4th inside final furlong
Nave made no impression at Musselburgh on his first try over today's trip, while Old Hundred needed 2m at Kempton to get off the mark last year. It was only a claimer that Layla's Dancer won in February and Rosewin is 10lb higher than her last victory at Southwell. Catterick winner King's Counsel has claims if he can handle the step up in class, but the vote goes to HAWK MOUNTAIN. Twice a winner over C&D, he won this race on his seasonal debut in 2009 and a repeat looks in the offing here with Paul Hanagan booked to do the steering.
Nave (USA) 13-2 (9-6) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, no impression, 8th of 14, 12l behind High Office (9-2) at Musselburgh 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Russian George (IRE) 4-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, driven over 2f out, kept on same pace, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Sweet Origin (9-0) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Mar.
Old Hundred (IRE) 11-4 (9-7) Prominent, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, ran on well, won at Kempton 2m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Sep beating Saggiatore (9-7) by 4l, 7 ran.
Viva Colonia (IRE) (9-2) 12th of 4 Free Minded (9-0) at Baden-Baden(GER) 1m 2f hcap sft in Oct '08.
Layla's Dancer 7-2 (8-10) Chased leader, led 2f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, headed soon after, no chance with winner when lost 2nd inside final furlong, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Sir Boss (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Rosewin (IRE) 3-1fav (9-13) Held up, pushed along and headway to chase winner 4f out, ridden, hung right and joined winner 2f out, driven and every chance until no extra near finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Juwireya (9-1) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (0-65) (6) fbs in Dec.
King's Counsel (IRE) 11-4 (8-13) Tracked leader, ridden to lead well over 3f out, kept on well towards finish, won at Catterick 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf beating Eijaaz (8-8) by 1 1/4l, 12 ran.
Hawk Mountain (UAE) 25-1 (8-0) Mid-division, ridden and effort to chase leaders 4f out, hung right under pressure over 2f, kept on same pace until weakened inside final furlong, 11th of 32, 12l behind Aaim To Prosper (7-13) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
