held up, headway over 5 out, ridden over 3f out, no impression
held up, headway to chase leaders over 5f out, ridden to lead well over 2f out, stayed on strongly
held up, headway over 6f out, chased leaders over 2f out, no impression
in touch, led over 6f out, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, weakened over 2f out
held up, headway 7f out, weakened well over 3f out, tailed off
held up, headway 8f out, led over 3f out, ridden and headed well over 2f out, one pace
held up mid-division, weakened well over 3f out, tailed off
soon led, clear after 3f until 8f out, ridden and headed 6f out, soon weakened
slightly hampered start, always towards rear
very slow away and reluctant to race, always well behind
led early, chased leaders, weakened over 4f out, tailed off
in touch, pushed along halfway, headway over 6f out, one pace
Blue Hills is a thorough stayer so has a good chance of getting home up the hill but we will side with the proven Great As Gold with Rule For Ever and Victory Quest two for the shortlist. The selection is effective on all types of ground and is is able to race off a mark just 2lbs above his highest winning one. That last win was in this race last year and Bryan Ellison's charge must have solid claims of making it two years in a row. Blue Hills is thoroughly consistent and had the selection four lengths behind him in second when successful at Southwell a fortnight ago. He can race off a 3lb lower mark on turf so must be accorded plenty of respect. Rule For Ever has won two off his last three, both for today's jockey and Ian McInnes' runner has place claims at least, although a higher turf mark will make life tricky. Malakiya is an interesting flat runner for Jonjo O'Neill and relatively unexposed, he should be watched in the betting. Victory Quest has done most of his running on the all-weather but returns to the turf off what looks a stuff enough mark so is passed over, along with Synonymy who should like the ground but doesn't look obviously well-treated back on turf. All in all this looks a toughie for punters, and we will tentatively side with last-year's winner Great As Gold to repeat the trick.