chased leaders, led 2f out, kept on
held up in touch, headway and brought wide 3f out, ridden and every chance 2f out, no extra final furlong
chased leader, ridden and hung left 2f out, edged right over 1f out, challenged inside final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced
led, headed 2f out, soon outpaced
Takeover Bid could well be all the rage here but we will take a chance and side with HELLBENDER; Abu Derby is the other to consider. The selection beat Abu Derby narrowly last time over this course and distance, and although he has a penalty to overcome today, he looks to be on an upward curve and he can win again. Abu Derby travelled well but he did not get home over this trip last time, and on that basis he is passed over again. Takeover Bid has got some decent form but he may find this 6f a little on the sharp side. A similar comment would apply to Hawkspring, and we will stick with Hellbender as the choice.
Takeover Bid (USA) 8-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, never a danger, 8th of 10, 6l behind Trigger McCann (9-0) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Abu Derby (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Close up and led halfway, quickened to lead over 1f out, driven when headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 7, nk behind Hellbender (8-13) at Southwell 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Hellbender (IRE) 9-4fav (8-13) Held up, ridden along halfway, headway over 1f, edged right and led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Southwell 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec beating Abu Derby (9-7) by a nk, 7 ran.
Ridgeway Silver 40-1 (8-8) Started slowly, held up behind mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression and weakened under pressure final furlong, 9th of 11, 7l behind Lexlenos (8-13) at Kempton 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (6) pol in Dec.
Hawkspring (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 4th of 11, 2l behind Trusted Venture (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m 2yo hcp (6) pol in Dec.