in rear, pushed along halfway, never on terms
dwelt tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, no impression
close up, pushed along and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on to press for 2nd towards finish
made all, 3 lengths clear over 1f out, ridden out
tracked winner until ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong
in touch, pushed along halfway, headway entering final furlong, not trouble leaders
ROCK BOTTOM usually runs his race and made all to score at Wolverhampton on last week’s handicap debut. Richard Hughes’ colt should go close again, despite a penalty, and has the beating of Kingi Compton on collateral form. Swiss Chime had been beaten in handicaps before landing a novices' race at Southwell while Hanakotoba’s second at Newcastle came in a lower grade contest. Arcadian Rocks may do better now handicapping though hasn’t raced since May and Velvet Vixen looks up against it from out of the weights.
Arcadian Rocks (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Restless in stalls, mid-division, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 7 3/4l behind Victory Command (8-12) at Doncaster 5f stks (5) gf in May.
Rock Bottom 9-4 (8-9) Raced keenly, made all, pushed along and ran on well final furlong, won at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (4) pol in Jan beating Dragon Beat (8-12) by 1l, 4 ran.
Hanakotoba (USA) 5-1 (9-6) Went sharply left start, tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Giacomo Casanova (8-13) at Newcastle 5f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Kingi Compton 12-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, under pressure over 1f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Dragon Beat (8-12) at Wolverhampton 5f (5) pol in Dec.
Swiss Chime 10-1 (8-6) Broke well, made all, ridden over 1f out, driven out, won at Southwell 5f stks (5) pol in Jan beating Hanati (8-6) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Velvet Vixen (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, outpaced final furlong, 8th of 11, 2 1/4l behind Captain Ryan (9-8) at Wolverhampton 5f stks (6) pol in Jan.