keen, close up, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
made all, 3 lenghts clear 8f out, steadied back halfway, shaken up and quickened clear over 2f out, comfortably
in touch in rear, ridden and outpaced when pace quickened over 2f out, ridden and kept on to go 3rd 1f out, never dangerous
keen, tracked winner until halfway, ridden 3f out, one pace from over 2f out
in touch in rear, headway to track winner halfway, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced by winner
SPRUCE is unfortunate not to be unbeaten in this country but he can make it four on the bounce by leading home Reverend Green and Eseej. The gelding is now 19lbs higher than when successful here in February but he looks full value for the handicapper's reaction. Whilst the race he won on Fibresand was a two runner contest it did indicate he can go on the surface and this trip seems his optimum, so under a 6lb penalty gained for a facile success at the weekend he's the one to beat. Reverend Green is a very interesting contender in his own right having won a maiden here last time. That was over a mile, but this step up four furlongs is no concern whatsoever and nor would an 8lb reassessment be were it not for the fact he has to race against Spruce. He may come up a tad short today but there will be other days for Kevin Ryan's impressive looking individual and he's one to keep on the right side. Eseej is far more exposed than our preferred pair but he's now 2lbs lower than when scoring here in October. Conditions are absolutely fine but as with Reverend Green he's run into one who remains well-treated. Bariolo landed a gamble for connections last time but that was a particularly bad race and he's got it all to prove on this very different surface under a penalty whilst Moheebb is yet to convince on artificial surfaces and has a break to overcome. Two stand out above the rest here and of them the profile of Spruce is extremely convincing.
Moheebb (IRE) 14-1 (9-4) Held up towards rear, never a factor, 11th of 13, 10l behind Demolition (8-6) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gs in Sep.
Spruce (USA) 4-9fav (9-7) Tracked leader, led 2f out, came centre over 1f out, ran on, comfortably, won at Lingfield 1m 5f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Feb beating Mustajed (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Reverend Green (IRE) 8-11fav (9-12) Dwelt, soon tracked leaders, went 2nd over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, driven and wore down leader to lead well inside final furlong, won at Southwell 1m mdn auc stks (6) fbs in Jan beating Takajan (8-6) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Hollow Green (IRE) 100-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, behind, weakened 2f out, 11th of 19, 14l behind Queen Of Pentacles (8-10) at Doncaster 1m 2f fll lst stks (1) sft in Nov.
Bariolo (FR) 11-4 (9-7) Held up towards rear, headway on outer over 3f out, when 2nd 1f out, soon led, kept on well, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb beating Star Choice (9-7) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Sacrilege 18-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon well detached and ridden along, stayed on final furlong, never dangerous, 4th of 5, 10l behind Striker Torres (8-7) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-80 (4) fbs in Jan.
Eseej (USA) 2-1fav (9-5) Led, headed over 1f out, weakening when not much room approaching final furlong, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Oxford City (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
