held up in touch, headway on outside 2f out, driven and keeping on same pace when not much room well inside final furlong
held up in touch, headway on inside to lead 1f out, ran on well
held up in rear, in touch, hampered over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner well inside final furlong but no impression
chased leaders, ridden to challenge 2f out, every chance over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, soon weakened
keen, soon led, ridden, headed and weakened 1f out
chased leader, ridden 2f out, weakening when hampered over 1f out
DANCE THE STAR is fancied to resume his upward curve by getting the better of Viva Vettori and Formation. David Simcock's charge failed to make the most of escaping a penalty when making a quick return to action over a longer trip at Wolverhampton. He had looked highly progressive when winning two of his three starts prior to that and he appears to possess sufficient pace to believe that he'll cope with this drop back in trip. Viva Vettori can race too keenly, a trait which spoiled his chance last time, but he has plenty of ability and has won for Richard Hughes so he has to be feared with his one success having been achieved over this course and distance. Formation has done well for his new yard and should be in the mix again but may find that at least one of his rivals is better handicapped now. There should be more to come from Casilda and she makes more appeal than Ramona Chase and Ballinteni whilst Press The Button will need to be at the top of his game if he's to overcome his career high mark. We're hopeful that there's more to come from Dance The Star though and, consequently, he's selected.
Ramona Chase 10-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, headway and not clear run over 1f out, no chance after, 7th of 13, 8l behind La Sarrazine (8-5) at Newbury 1m 2f hcap (2) sft in Oct.
Press The Button (GER) 9-2 (9-1) Prominent, ridden to challenge and effort 2f out, hanging right over 1f out, soon one pace, lost 3rd post, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Suits Me (9-6) at Kempton 1m 2f hcp (2) pol in Nov.
Formation (USA) 7-2 (9-1) Held up in rear, good headway entering final furlong, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, ran on close home, 3rd of 8, hd behind Sgt Schultz (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) pol in Mar.
Casilda (IRE) 12-1 (8-3) Led after 1f, joined 3f out, pressed from over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, rallied, just held, 2nd of 10, shd behind Crystal Capella (8-10) at Goodwood 1m 2f listed hcp (1) sft in Aug.
Ballinteni 20-1 (8-12) Always behind, 9th of 10, 25l behind Flipando (8-13) at Great Leighs 1m hcp (2) pol in Dec.
Viva Vettori 13-8fav (8-10) Pulled very hard, led and soon clear, pressed entering final furlong, headed final half furlong, stayed on gamely for 2nd, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Saltagioo (8-9) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-95 (3) std in Mar.
Dance The Star (USA) 2-1fav (9-1) Held up in last pair, ridden 3f out, headway over 2f out, soon challenged, hung left over 1f out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Factotum (10-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
