led 1f, tracked leader afterwards to over 2f out, soon ridden and one pace from over 1f out
held up 4th, headway to lead 1f out, ran on under pressure, driven out
started slowly, raced keenly, led after 1 furlong, ridden and edged left inside final 2 furlongs, headed 1f out, no extra and faded towards finish
held up in rear, headway on outer over 1f out, hanging left, pressed winner inside final furlong, no extra and faded near finish
prominent, chased leader 2f out, hampered on rail soon afterwards, kept on one pace from over 1f out
None of the five can be ignored here but the weights favour Hit The Roof and whilst he hasn't scaled the heights as connections may have hoped, he may not have reached the ceiling of his ability yet and he's taken to oblige. Richard Hannon's colt is dropped in grade today and also dropped back to seven furlongs again. He likes to be up with the pace and with this small field to suit he can go well. Llab Nala was only collared late on last time out and has claims, although he is unlikely to get things all his own way out in front, whilst Copperbottomed is a proven performer in this grade but this race looks tougher than his last. Roundthetwist is unexposed after just two runs but connections don't appear to know what is his best trip, whilst Hellfire Bay drops in grade and trip and the yard are shrewd, so in first-time blinkers he should go well. An open claimer, and preference is for Hit The Roof.
Roundthetwist (IRE) 9-2 (9-2) Led, headed 5f out, led again over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Elusive Lady (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo clm (5) pol in Jan.
Hit The Roof 8-1 (8-12) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, soon one pace, 4th of 12, 3l behind Rankayo Hitam (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 3yo mdn aut (5) pol in Jan.
Hellfire Bay 9-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up towards rear, short-lived effort over 2f out, last of 8, 10l behind Rapidity (9-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Llab Nala 10-3 (8-12) Pulled hard, set steady pace, quickened 2f out, soon pushed along, no extra and headed towards finish, 2nd of 4, nk behind Snow Bounty (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 3yo clm (6) pol.
Copperbottomed (IRE) 5-6fav (9-3) With leader, led over 2f out, shaken up over 1f out, kept on well, won at Southwell 7f 3yo sll (6) fbs beating Novestar (8-11) by 3/4l, 5 ran.