held up, headway on outer over 2f out, chased leaders approaching final furlong, kept on one pace
held up rear, ridden along over 4f out, never in contention
tracked leader on outside, ridden and effort 2f out, not quicken and weakened final furlong
close up, ridden and effort well over 1f out, no extra approaching final furlong
led until headed well over 1f out, soon weakened
in touch, chased leader over 1f out, ran on and appeared to lead final 100 yards, drew clear towards finish
always behind, never dangerous final 2f
tracked leader on inner, ridden to lead well over 1f out, pressed inside final furlong, appeared to be headed final 100 yards
towards rear, not clear run behind leaders 2f out, switched right and wide, stayed on but no impression final furlong
GONE HUNTING is a confident selection in the opener, while Art Fund can also go well. The selection has to give weight away all around, but in spite of that he is still well in at the weights with all but one of his opponents. Last seen out running well in a handicap here behind Newlyn Art, he is stepped up to this trip for the first time today, but pedigree suggests that he will handle that well. This surface suits and he should have too much class for his rivals. Art Fund managed to win a seller here over 6f last month and represents a yard that does well at the track. He has 11lbs to find with the selection at these weights and he will do well to bridge that gap. Swiss Art improved for first-time blinkers when only half-a-length adrift in similar company at Southwell and now steps back up to a trip over which he has previously run with credit. He too has 7lbs to find with our pick and he will need a career best to break his maiden. River Rye is the only runner better off with the selection than if this were a handicap, but she looks on the slide and could not be backed with confidence. Cognac Boy did not appear to get home last time, so he should appreciate the step back in trip and you wouldn't dismiss him out of hand from what we have seen, but preference is for Gone Hunting.
Gone Hunting 11-1 (9-8) Raced on outside, held up, ridden and wide straight, stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Newlyn Art (8-9) at Lingfield 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Ruby Best 66-1 (8-9) Always towards rear, 10th of 15, 10l behind Enact (8-12) at Windsor 6f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sept.
Art Fund (USA) 7-2 (8-11) In touch, ridden over 1f out, hung right on bend over 1f out, kept on to lead close home, won at Lingfield 6f 2yo sll (6) pol in Dec beating Elusive Ronnie (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Swiss Art (IRE) 15-8fav (8-9) Prominent, brought wide over 2f, driven over 1f out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 1/2l behind Dancing Wave (8-2) at Southwell 6f 3yo clm (6) fbs.
Buddy Marvellous (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Broke well, soon towards rear, not much room over 3f out, never on terms after, 9th of 11, 11l behind Tillers Satisfied (8-12) at W'hampton 6f 2yo sll (6) pol in Dec.
Cognac Boy (USA) 10-1 (8-8) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon no impression on leaders, weakened well over 1f out, 5th of 7, 11l behind Blaise Tower (9-4) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Whotsit (IRE) CHOISIR gelding out of Charming Victoria.
Flawless Diamond (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Towards rear, effort 2f out, stayed on, not troubled leader, 4th of 11, 8l behind Cut And Thrust (9-7) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp (6) pol in Dec.
River Rye (IRE) 10-3 (8-11) Chased leaders for 2f, soon outpaced, stayed on from over 1f out, no impression, 6th of 9, 7l behind Kheley (8-4) at W'hampton 6f 3yo app sll (6) pol.
