made all, mistake 3 out, jumped left from next, ridden out
tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, weakened approaching next
in rear, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, kept on from 2 out, no impression
soon tracking winner, not fluent 4 out, jumped right from 3 out, ridden and every chance next, one pace flat
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden after next, weakened 2 out
Bold Fire, Onnix and Overlut form the shortlist here, with the vote going to Bold Fire. A winning French import, Bold Fire has looked good in landing his last two races, the latest of them coming off a mark of 128 at handicap level. He looks a leading player today, as does the dual French winner Overlut, although he has to concede Bold Fire seven pounds. Fellow French raider Onnix looked a very good juvenile when scoring at Lingfield last time and he too has to be respected. Astronomical made a very pleasing debut when scoring at Market Rasen and, much as this is tougher, he is respected too, and he acted on soft on the Flat, while much as it looks like he can win races, Ortega would be doing well to score based on what we have so far seen. All in all, then, the vote just goes to Bold Fire.
Overlut (FR) (10-3) Made all, ran on strongly, won at Auteuil 1m 7f hdl hvy in Nov beating Exarque (10-8) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Astronomical (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, ridden to lead last, all out, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Dec beating Gidam Gidam (10-12) by 1l, 10 ran.
Onnix (FR) 5-4fav (10-10) Patiently ridden, headway 2 out, chased winner before last, driven ahead close home, won at Lingfield 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Heathcote (11-7) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Bold Fire 5-4fav (9-13) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well, won at Southwell 2m mrs hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan beating Pay Attention (10-13) by 4l, 9 ran.
Ortega (FR) 15-8fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 15, 10l behind Opera de Coeur (10-12) at Warwick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.