soon led, headed over 3f out, one pace and no impression from over 1f out
held up in mid-division, pushed along 3f out, never on terms
dropped out start, held up in rear, ridden over 2f out, no impression and edged left over 1f out
chased leaders, improved from 3f out, challenged over 2f out, stayed on, not pace of winner inside final furlong
led early, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold, prominent, led over 3f out, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace
soon ridden along in rear, always behind
mid-division, ridden and effort on outside over 2f out, hung right over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
always prominent, led over 1f out, ran on well
held up towards rear, ridden and headway on outside over 1f out, hung right and went 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on
always behind
mid-division on inside, effort over 4f out, lost place 2f out
A cracking prize has brought out a fine line-up including a trio of Mark Johnston entries who have been in superb form on the all-weather. Almargo has completed a hat-trick but has never raced over a trip this far and is 10lb higher while Swivel has won four of his last five and has only been raised 1lb for his victory at Wolverhampton. Bow Creek was the outsider of three in a Listed contest at Lingfield last time but made all for a comfortable success and he's the type to keep on progressing. Roachdale House ended his first campaign with victory in a Doncaster handicap but isn't certain at these weights to finish in front of stablemate Ventura Quest, who made all in a Catterick nursery in October. Extra Noble scored twice at Kempton and was staying on well in a 7f Group 3 at Newbury on his final start. He should be well enough forward as should Cool Bahamian, who contested better races after winning two of his first three last term. Ticking Katie ran some fine races last season and has the benefit of a run in January but the vote in an open contest goes to BILIMBI, who did well to land a Yarmouth maiden over 7f as he's bred for further and begins in handicaps on what could prove a lenient mark.
Bow Creek (IRE) 10-1 (9-0) Made all, ran wide bend 2f out, soon ridden, driven out, won at Lingfield 1m 3yo Listed stks (1) pol beating Barley Mow (9-0) by 1/2l, 3 ran.
Roachdale House (IRE) 5-2fav (9-6) In touch in rear, headway entering final 2f, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, ran on, won at Doncaster 7f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) sft in Oct beating Tancred (8-6) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Cool Bahamian (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Tracked leader until pushed along over 2f out, weakened inside final 2f, last of 5, 14l behind Be Ready (9-0) at Doncaster 7f Listed stks 2yo (1) gs in Sep.
Extra Noble 12-1 (8-12) Held up in rear, outpaced halfway, headway over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 11, 7l behind Piping Rock (8-12) at Newbury 7f 2yo Grp 3 (1) hvy in Oct.
Ticking Katie (IRE) 11-4 (8-11) Chased leader, pushed along and lost 2nd 2f out, weakened soon after, last of 6, 8l behind Alutiq (8-11) at Kempton 6f cond stks (2) pol in Jan.
Almargo (IRE) 4-7fav (9-10) Chased leader, led well over 1f out, ridden and edged left over 1f out, ran on well, eased close home, won at Wolverhampton 7f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Secret Suspect (9-5) by 4l, 6 ran.
Swivel 7-4fav (9-7) Prominent, led over 5f out, headed 3f out, stayed close up, led again inside final furlong, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb beating Chinotto (9-3) by 1l, 5 ran.
Ventura Quest (USA) 15-8 (9-2) Made all, ridden inside final furlong, held on towards finish, won at Catterick 7f 2yo hcp 0-95 (3) gs in Oct beating King Of Macedon (9-1) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Bilimbi (IRE) 5-1 (9-5) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, ran on, won at Yarmouth 7f 2yo mdn (5) sft in Oct beating Gift of Rain (9-0) by 4l, 6 ran.
Finn Class (IRE) 11-4 (8-12) Tracked leading pair, ridden over 2f out, driven and went 2nd on inside over 1f out, closed inside final furlong, stayed on gamely to lead final 100 yards, won at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp (2) pol in Oct beating Claim The Roses (9-7) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Resolute 8-13fav (9-7) Tracked leaders, every chance over 1f out, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Swivel (9-0) at Southwell 1m 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Jan.
Miss Buckshot (IRE) 25-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, not able to trouble leaders, 4th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Monsea (9-7) at Kempton 7f (3) pol in Oct.
