took keen hold early, held up, headway halfway, went 2nd on inside over 1f out, squeezed through inside final furlong, ran on to lead well inside final furlong
close up, ran green and outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, shaken up and kept on one pace final furlong
soon led, ridden and edged left inside final furlong, headed well inside final furlong, rallied near finish
took keen hold early, pulled way up to chase leader 4f out until weakened quickly over 2f out
held up, green and hampered over 4f out, kept on final furlong, no danger
mid-division, ridden halfway, soon struggling
outpaced and always behind, tailed off
chased leader to 4f out, stayed prominent, went 2nd going well enough over 2f out, ridden and no impression when lost 2nd over 1f out
A very moderate maiden, and we'll side with experience, albeit limited, and tentatively select HILLSIDE LAD, ahead of Bahkov and Monsieur Fillioux. Only five of the scheduled nine runners have raced before, with Ralph Beckett's charge having had a couple of run outs at Kempton last month, and progressed nicely to come third last time out in a similar contest. He attempted to make all, and a similar tactic may be employed today, from an advantageous high draw. Just as he's the yard's only runner on the card, so Bakhov is the only representative here for Tom Dascombe, who had his first ever treble here last Sunday. Monsieur Fillioux is giving a little weight away, after coming third on debut at Wolverhampton. This represents a shorter trip. He was a little troublesome in getting loaded that day, and never really looked in contention, but should have learned from that experience. Market support for any of the newcomers should be noted, but our view is that this can go the way of Hillside Lad.
Monsieur Fillioux (USA) 9-1 (8-13) Mid-division, headway 2f out, joined leaders, took 2nd inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Inconspicuous Miss (7-11) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Nov.
Bahkov (IRE) Bahamian Bounty colt out of Petrikov.
Hillside Lad 14-1 (8-11) Led, ridden over 2f out, edged left and headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Lexlenos (8-5) at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn auc (4) pol in Nov.
Rio Ramus (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, pressed leaders to 3f out, weakened quickly over 2f out, ran very wide bend well over 1f out, soon eased, tailed off, last of 7, 29l behind Satwa Street (9-3) at Lingfield 5f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Nov.
Cloudesley (IRE) Trans Island gelding, half-brother to numerous winners from 1m-1m4f.
Menhir Bay Sure Blade gelding out of Turkish Delight.
Floods of Tears 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, never troubled leaders, 9th of 11, 20l behind Ajara (9-0) at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol.
The Mumbo Bahamian Bounty filly out of Mandolin.
Amosite 150-1 (8-12) Raced far side, led back group, ridden and headed well over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 15, 23l behind Lahaleeb (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo fll Grp 2 (1) gd in Oct.