prominent, led over 5f out, headed well over 2f out, stayed on same pace
held up, headway over 4f out, soon tracking leaders, every chance 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened over 2f out
in touch, led well over 2f out, pushed clear final furlong
led, headed over 5f out, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened
always behind
in touch, ridden over 7f out, soon lost place
in touch, weakened over 3f out
Bienheureux, Arsad and Stagecoach Emerald are three against the field in this trappy handicap and the narrow vote is given to Bienheureux. The selection was a fair second behind Victory Quest last time out. That form has since been franked and off the same mark here he looks the value bet. Arsad rates the main danger on his latest second behind Little Richard but the drop in trip has to be of concern and he is passed over with this in mind. Stagecoach Emerald finished second behind Emillion last time but he continues to rise in the weights without winning and is opposable on that basis. Blue Hills has dropped to a handy mark and could go well at a price while Bold Trump is game and consistent but is not proven over the trip and for the winner we return to Bienheureux.
Stagecoach Emerald 12-1 (9-8) Led, headed over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 6, nk behind Emilion (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 4f 3yo & 4yo mdn (5) pol in Dec.
Bienheureux 10-1 (8-11) Dwelt and behind, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, hung right and headed inside final furlong, no extra close home, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Victory Quest (9-1) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Blue Hills 16-1 (9-2) Disputed lead, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 12l behind Little Richard (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Arsad (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) Disputed lead, led over 3f out, all out when headed line, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Little Richard (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Woolstone Boy (USA) 14-1 (9-5) Always behind, tailed off final 3f, last of 14, well behind Optimum (9-4) at Southwell 1m 6f hcap (6) fbs in Jul.
Top Tenor (IRE) 3-1 (9-2) In touch, rapid headway to lead 4f out, clear 3f out, weakened rapidly and headed close home, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Blue Savanna (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 4f sll (G) pol in Mar '04.
Little Lily Morgan 100-1 (8-12) Never better than mid-division, 6th of 12, 16l behind Sir Arthur (9-3) at Ripon 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) hvy in May.
Bold Trump 8-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, led over 6f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 11, 22l behind Galantos (9-11) at Southwell 2m banded stk (7) pol in Dec.