slowly into stride, tracked leader, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
slowly into stride, held up, stayed on well inside final furlong, never a threat
led until over 1f out, soon hung left, faded final furlong
chased leaders, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on well
slowly into stride, headway over 1f out, stayed on into 3rd, never able to challenge
tracked leader, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace
slowly into stride, held up, never dangerous
It could pay to stick with ISLAND HIDEAWAY now handicapping for the first time. She’s improved with every start so far, culminating in a maiden success over course and distance at the start of the month, and further progress looks on the cards. Speed Merchant has won over 7f in the past and over 6f at Southwell recently while Secret Smile is another upped in distance after placing at Wolverhampton. Saracen Star has been well beaten either side of going close in a selling race here last month but Today Power just missed out over a mile at Chepstow when last in action and looks a threat on his return.
Island Hideaway 15-8fav (9-0) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, ridden out, won at Lingfield 1m mdn fll stks (5) pol in Dec beating Agreed (9-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Speed Merchant (IRE) 5-2 (9-7) Close up, effort when short of room and bumped over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 6f (5) pol in Dec beating Constitutional (8-13) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Secret Smile (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and headway entering final furlong, soon every chance, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Millionaire Waltz (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f mdn stks (4) pol in Dec.
St Just 50-1 (9-5) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 10 1/2l behind Sky Commander (9-5) at Kempton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Queen Of Silca 33-1 (9-0) Steadied start, raced keenly in rear, never a factor, 10th of 11, 12 1/4l behind Tadreej (9-0) at Chelmsford City 7f fll stks (4) pol in Oct.
Today Power (IRE) 9-2cfav (9-6) Led early, chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, switched right 2f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, just failed, 2nd of 12, shd behind Now I'm A Believer (8-6) at Chepstow 1m (6) gs in Sep.
Saracen Star 33-1 (9-0) Towards rear, never on terms, 7th of 10, 7 1/4l behind Merryweather (9-0) at Lingfield 1m fll stks (5) pol in Dec.