chased leader, slight lead over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, not quicken inside final furlong
held up, outpaced over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, soon edged left, stayed on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong
led, headed over 4f out, ridden over 3, led again over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace
Ticero has claims on the pick of his best form but that has all been at a shorter trip and preference is for Richtee, who gets the verdict over Millennium Hall. The last mentioned has the beating of Financial Future on running behind Bramantino at Newcastle last time and has to be respected, although Peter Monteith's gelding would probably prefer a faster surface to show his best form. Easibet Dot Net and Rutters Rebel both come here fresh on their respective seasonal reappearances with marginal preference among the pair for the latter, who looks to be better handicapped than the top weight. The vote though goes to Richard Fahey's Richtee, who has slipped to a fair mark and will appreciate today's faster ground than he has encountered previously this term.
Easibet Dot Net 8-1 (9-2) In touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 7l behind Nassiria (9-0) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (E3) fbs in Nov.
Rutters Rebel (IRE) 16-1 (8-7) Held up, behind, ridden over 3f out, never a factor, 9th of 12, 10l behind Ringsider (9-5) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (D2) gf in Sept.
Richtee (IRE) 9-2 (8-13) Held up, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on final furlong, 5th of 8, 8l behind Kylkenny (8-3) at Pontefract 1m 2f app hcp (5) sft in Apr.
Ticero 7-2fav (8-10) Never better than mid-division, 8th of 12, 10l behind Magic Sting (8-13) at Redcar 1m 3f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Millennium Hall 7-1 (8-8) Held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase winner and hung left 2f out, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Bramantino (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) gs.
Financial Future 15-2 (8-11) Led early, tracked leader after, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 12, 10l behind Bramantino (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (5) gs.