held up in rear, under pressure over 2f out, never dangerous
tracked leader, outpaced 3f out, gradually weakened
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, kept on towards finish, never able to challenge
held up in mid-division, headway well over 1 out, ran on inside final furlong, never reached winner
steadied start, held up in rear, weakened over 2f out
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leader, effort over 1f out, stayed on same pace
in touch, smooth headway to lead over 1f out, driven clear inside final furlong, redily
always behind
Derwentwater was sent off favourite over C&D a week ago but came up just short. He'll be in the mix once again but the vote goes to the less exposed SWEET VINTAGE. John Hills' filly has been placed at Wolverhampton on her last couple of starts and is taken to show further progress on her handicap debut. Handsome Stranger is another handicap debutant who could figure while Vergality Ridge has bits of form that could see him in with a shout.
Vergality Ridge (IRE) 20-1 (9-5) Mid-division, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to chase leaders inside final furlong, no impression, 4th of 11, 4l behind Sakhee's Rose (9-7) at Kempton 6f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Handsome Stranger (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Dwelt in rear, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, not trouble leaders, 4th of 7, 7l behind Rene Mathis (9-3) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Sweet Vintage (IRE) 2-1fav (9-0) Led, ridden and edged right over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, unable to quicken, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Bay Laurel (9-0) at Wolverhampton 7f 2yo mdn fll auc stks (6) pol in Nov.
Derwentwater (IRE) 7-4fav (9-1) Bumped and steadied after start, held up, good headway on inside when switched left then right over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Tilstarr (9-7) at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Ocean Power (IRE) 50-1 (9-3) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, last of 9, 20l behind St Paul De Vence (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Dec.
Lincolnrose (IRE) 14-1 (8-12) Pushed along to soon lead, clear over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Blazeofenchantment (9-4) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Black Truffle (FR) 9-4fav (8-6) Held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, nearest finish, 6th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Hazza The Jazza (9-0) at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Sweet Force 66-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders on outside, outpaced over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 6, 19l behind Makin (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Dec.
Sylvia's Diamond 66-1 (8-1) Steadied in rear, never a factor, last of 11, 24l behind Pairumani Prince (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Dec.
Show More Faith 14-1 (8-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 4th of 8, 7l behind Walter White (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo sell stks (6) pol.