tracked leader, led 2f out, ridden and pressed from over 1f out, held on gamely
keen led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong
in rear, ridden over 2f out, effort 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
close up, ridden to challenge winner from over 1f out, not quicken near finish
in rear, ridden halfway, effort 1f out, no impression inside final furlong
Billy Red failed to score on the all-weather over the winter but can race off a lower mark back on turf and his most recent win came at Brighton in August, while Sherjawy won at the same track last year but may be better over the minimum trip nowadays. VICTORIAN BOUNTY tried making all as usual on his recent reappearance over 5f at Windsor but faded in the closing stages. He's much better over today's extra furlong and, with that run under his belt, Stef Higgins' sprinter could take the catching today. For Life and Rough Rock have outside claims if producing their best form but Rum King is hard to fancy.
Victorian Bounty 22-1 (9-7) Led over 1f, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Taurus Twins (8-13) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Billy Red 9-2 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden to lead well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Magical Macey (9-0) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Rough Rock (IRE) 20-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders stands' side, weakened over 2f out, 12th of 15, 22l behind Lord Aeryn (9-1) at Doncaster 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Rum King (USA) 17-2 (9-4) Held up towards rear, never on terms, 12th of 14, 16l behind Spanish Bounty (9-7) at Windsor 6f hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Sherjawy (IRE) 3-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace under pressure final furlong, no impresssion, 5th of 7, 4l behind Lord Of The Reins (9-4) at Kempton 5f hacp 0-70 (5) pol.
For Life (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, no extra and soon eased, 7th of 10, 15l behind Wallis (8-12) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.