led, ridden 2 out, driven when headed approaching last, rallied flat
tracked leaders, reminders 9th, ridden to chase leader soon after 4 out, weakened 2 out
keen tracked leaders, ridden and dropped to rear 7th, pulled up next
held up, dropped to last 9th, ridden 3f out, headway next, ridden and every chance last, soon led, driven out
in touch in rear, pushed along 10th, headway to chase leader 3 out, hit next, ridden to lead approaching last, headed soon after, no extra
tracked leader until ridden and weakened between 4 out and 3 out
RIO QUINTO was flattered by his margin of victory over 2m4f here last month but the step up to 3m should bring about further improvement from the former pointer and he may be capable of holding off Southwell winner Oscar Star, who is a little more exposed and also has a penalty to carry. Earlshill won between the flags and has been getting closer under Rules. Dan Skelton’s charge adds to the interest as he’s another who will appreciate the longer distance. Strawberry Spirit was in the process of running a fair race at Huntingdon until unseating her rider but this looks an above-average contest for the track.
Rio Quinto (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Prominent, led 7th, made rest, clear soon after 2 out, left well clear at last, won at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Dec beating Potters Hedger (11-0) by 34l, 9 ran.
Earlshill (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, outpaced next, kept on well run-in, just held, 3rd of 15, nk behind Indian Hercules (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Nov.
Hay James 200-1 (11-4) Prominent, led 12f out, headed over 6f out, weakened over 5f out, tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Sangha River (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 1f (6) gs in Dec.
Piri Massini (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Trkd ldr in 2nd, ld 1/2way, jnd 6out, ld again bef 3out, 2l adv 2out, so best flat, won at Ballindenisk 3m mdn hvy in Nov beating Woods Well (11-10) by 1l, 10 ran.
Oscar Star (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) won at Southwell 3m (4) sft in Dec beating Little Millie (10-12) by 7l, 5 ran.
Strawberry Spirit (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Prominent, every chance when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Jan.