slowly into striide, soon led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on until weakened 1f out
pressed leader, ridden to lead 2f out, soon pressed and headed 1f out, lost 2nd final stride
chased leaders, ridden and effort on inside over 1f out, not quickened ,1 pace final furlong
close up, ridden 2f out, soon outpaced
held up in rear in touch, switched right over 1f out, led 1f out, over 1 length clear inside final furlong, driven out
in touch, ridden and not paced to challenge over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to take 2nd final stride
steadied start, held up in rear in touch, ridden along 2f out, kept on, no impression on leaders from over 1f out
HELLBENDER is in great form at present and he is taken to score again at the main expense of Sharpener and Five Star Junior. The selection was a comfortable winner here last time out when he beat Mandhooma, and this unexposed 3-year-old looks one to stay on the right side of. He appears to be progressive and if he can take another step forward today then he will be hard to stop. Sharpener is a likeable filly but she gives the impression that she is best suited by the minimum trip and on that basis we will pass her over today. Five Star Junior won his maiden well last time but that race at Kempton looked fairly moderate and it will be interesting to see how he gets on now that he is back in handicap company. Satwa Street and Smokey Ryder are others worthy of a mention, but Hellbender looks to be on an upward curve and he can win again.
Sir Geoffrey (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 6, 13l behind Smokey Ryder (8-6) at W'hampton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Satwa Street (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (8-8) Tracked leaders and pulled hard, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 7l behind Smokey Ryder (8-6) at W'hampton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol.
Smokey Ryder 11-4jt-fav (8-6) Chased leader, led well over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on, won at W'hampton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol beating Bobs Dreamflight (8-7) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Love You Louis 25-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, effort 2f out, ran on to chase winner just inside final furlong, no impression, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Newlyn Art (8-9) at Lingfield 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
Five Star Junior (USA) 7-4fav (8-10) Tracked leaders, going well 2f out, shaken up to lead approaching final furlong, pushed out and in command final furlong, won at Kempton 6f mdn aut stk (6) pol beating Princess Cagliari (8-5) by 2l, 7 ran.
Hellbender (IRE) 11-4 (9-2) Led 1f, tracked leader after, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to lead well inside final furlong, drew clear towards finish, won at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol beating Mandhooma (8-4) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Sharpener (IRE) 7-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, mid-division, ridden halfway, edged left from over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, never dangerous, 4th of 9, 4l behind Rainbow Seeker (9-4) at Great Leighs 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Dec.
