in touch in rear, pushed along and headway over 1f out, kept on to go 2nd inside final furlong
keen, in touch, in rear, ridden over 1f out, nearest finish
close up, headway 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace in final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leader, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, chased leader 2f out, led approaching final furlong, ridden and ran on
The progressive Dance Teacher followed a maiden win with success in a handicap over course and distance and is only 3lb higher. But STELLAR SURPRISE looks to have the stronger form on last month’s victory in Class 2 company at Wolverhampton and she can go in again with Stuart Williams’ yard remaining in good form. Ventura Blues will appreciate the return to a mile having gone close here earlier and Hidden Steps makes more appeal than Titan Goddess in this grade.
Ventura Blues (IRE) 14-1 (9-10) Towards rear, pushed along halfway, never a factor, 11th of 14, 12 1/4l behind Syrian Pearl (9-5) at Nottingham 6f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Stellar Surprise 5-2fav (9-0) Close up, headway 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp fll (2) pol in Dec beating Star Quality (8-5) by shd, 6 ran.
Hidden Steps 10-1 (9-5) Tracked leader until 8f out, close up, ridden over 1f out, keeping on one pace when not much room inside final furlong, 5th of 8, at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp fll (3) pol in Nov.
Dance Teacher (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on, won at Kempton 1m hcp (4) pol in Dec beating Chestnut Fire (9-4) by 1l, 13 ran.
Normandie Lady 8-1 (9-10) Slowly into stride, towards rear and pushed along, kept on same pace from over 1f out, 6th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Queensbrydge (9-3) at Kempton 1m hcp fll (4) pol in Oct.
Titan Goddess 6-1 (9-1) In rear, headway 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, nk behind Dellaguista (9-3) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp fll (5) pol in Dec.