slowly into stride, held up, effort on inside over 1f out, stayed on to go 3rd inside final furlong
led, ridden 2f out, headed 1f out, kept on
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, keen and held up towards rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on one pace
keen, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
patiently ridden in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and ran on to lead towards finish
disputed lead, led 1f out, soon ridden, headed towards finish
A trappy handicap rounds off the card and there is very little between many of the leading fancies but the principals look to be Valhillen. Stoneacre Pat and Seductive Witch and the narrow vote is given to Valhillen. The selection was a fair fifth in a better race last time out behind Sovine and although the drop in trip is a slight concern he looks a value bet. Stoneacre Pat rates the main danger as he won well last time when beating Stoneacre Chirs but that was a poor affair and he looks to have plenty of weight for what he has actually achived. Seductive Witch has won his last two races in good style but this looks tougher and he looks vulnerable under a penalty. Golden Dane hails from a yard in form and is suere to have come on for his latest start so he is worth a cautionary look in the market but for the winner we return to Valhillen to small stakes.
Valhillen 6-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 3l behind dhtrs Requisite (9-2) & Sovine (9-4) at W'hampton 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Ben 150-1 (8-12) Slowly away, always behind, tailed off over 1f out, 22nd of 23, 24l behind Dubai Dynamo (9-2) at Redcar 6f 2yo lst stk (1) gd in Oct.
Golden Dane (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Soon ridden, weakened halfway, 4th of 6, 7l behind Lujiana (8-8) at Southwell 5f 3yo hcp (6) fbs.
Stoneacre Pat (IRE) 40-1 (9-3) Made all, ridden over 1f out, kept on, won at Lingfield 5f 3yo mdn (5) pol beating Stoneacre Chris (8-12) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Lady Vibeeka 8-1 (8-5) Prominent, led after 1f, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, weakened, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Princess Livius (8-12) at W'hampton 5f 3yo mdn aut (5) pol.
Orpen's Art (IRE) 4-5fav (8-11) Led to over 1f out, no extra when headed, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Lujiana (8-8) at Southwell 5f 3yo hcp (6) fbs.
Seductive Witch 15-2 (8-11) Made all, ridden over 1f out, edged slightly left inside final furlong, ran on, won at W'hampton 6f 3yo hcp (6) pol beating Rich James (8-7) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.