led early, prominent, ridden over 2f out, beaten from over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
held up, headway 4f out, pushed along over 3f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
not much room start, held up in rear, headway 2f out, hung left over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
took keen hold, led, driven over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, held after, kept on
tracked leaders, went 2nd 2f out, led and edged right inside final furlong, kept on well
held up, outpaced over 3f out, well beaten over 1f out
chased leaders, weakened from over 2f out
Penmellyn has been threatening to open her account though needs to reverse earlier running here with Castlehill Retreat. The latter scored over track and trip in November but has subsequently finished behind runner-up BALLYARE over 6f at the track. The latter just missed out on that occasion and, with this extra furlong looking sure to suit Lucinda Russell’s new charge, he gets the nod to come out best. Bold Suitor is also unexposed and preferred to Secret Smile, who is fitted with headgear today, while a 10lb rise proved beyond Ventura Destiny at Wolverhampton back in November.
Penmellyn (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) Held up, headway chasing leaders 3f out, went 2nd just inside final 2f, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Royal Nation (9-7) at Newcastle 1m (5) pol in Dec.
Castlehill Retreat 9-2fav (9-7) Held up in mid-division, never dangerous, 7th of 14, 4l behind Proclaimer (9-3) at Newcastle 6f (5) pol in Dec.
Ballyare 22-1 (9-3) Started slowly, well behind, headway on near side rail over 1f out, strong run inside final furlong, went 2nd near finish, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Proclaimer (9-3) at Newcastle 6f (5) pol in Dec.
Secret Smile (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) Led until over 1f out, soon hung left, faded final furlong, 6th of 7, 7l behind St Just (8-13) at Lingfield 1m (5) pol in Dec.
Bold Suitor 8-1 (9-5) Went right start, towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Phuket Power (9-5) at Kempton 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Ventura Destiny (FR) 9-4fav (9-11) Held up, pushed along 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 10, 14 1/2l behind Schumli (8-9) at Wolverhampton 7f (6) pol in Nov.
Sea Ewe 250-1 (8-11) Pressed winner, ridden and lost place 2f out, weakened final furlong, 12th of 13, 18 3/4l behind Dulas (9-2) at Newcastle 6f stks (5) pol in Dec.