towards rear, pushed along and headway over 4f out, ridden and one pace final 2f
led, headed after 5f, remained in touch until weakened over 4f out
prominent, ridden along and lost place over 4f out
held up, headway over 2f out, driven over 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
took keen hold behind leaders, led after 5f, was headed 6f out, weakened over 1f out
mid-division, headway over 7f out, ridden along 4f out, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra close home
never better than mid-division
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, led 6f out, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride and always in rear
An open contest in which many have chances, however we will side with recent winner Blue Hills, ahead of Victory Quest, Red River Rock and Galantos. The selection won well nine days ago when given a good ride by his lady jock, and with Jim Crowley on board today, he looks sure to run another big race. A 6lb penalty for the win may be a stumbling block, but in an open race he must have solid each-way claims at least. Bulberry Hill has won over course and distance so holds solid claims, especially having finished a gallant second last time out. Red River Rock won well last time out, however that was a poor contest and he would need to step up, whilst Victory Quest won well over course and distance on New Years Day so must be respected again, especially as a 2lb rise in the weights looks lenient. Galantos is consistent however his mark looks stiff enough now after his second last time out, so we will pass him over in favour of the selection, Peter Hiatt's Blue Hills.
Miss Holly 2-1fav (11-0) Held up, headway over 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Blue Hills (10-3) at Southwell 2m amt hcp (5) fbs in Jan.
Zaville 9-2 (9-6) Mid-division, pushed along and headway 8f out, weakened well over 3f out, 9th of 10, 29l behind Reminiscent (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Ausone 16-1 (9-2) Raced in 4th, went 2nd 3f out, led 2f out, headed inside last, no extra, 2nd of 7, 2l behind King's Ransom (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan.
Victory Quest (IRE) 11-4 (9-1) Held up, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, headed over 1f out, rallied to regain lead inside final furlong, ran on, won at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Jan beating Bienheureux (8-11) by 2l, 6 ran.
Takes Tutu (USA) 20-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, hampered on bend over 1f out, soon weakened, 8th of 13, 6l behind Discotheque (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Galantos (GER) 12-1 (9-4) Held up, headway on over 2f out, driven upsides 1f out, held near finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Noble Minstrel (9-5) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Madiba 16-1 (9-9) Reluctant to load stalls, always in rear, 13th of 14, 31l behind Noble Minstrel (9-5) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Bulberry Hill 11-2 (9-2) Prominent, ridden 3f out, every chance over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Miss Holly (8-13) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
Just Fly 33-1 (9-3) Held up, headway over 4f out, ridden and no impression leaders final 2f, 6th of 14, 6l behind Noble Minstrel (9-5) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Ice And Fire 11-2 (8-11) Behind and never a factor, last of 9, 32l behind Miss Holly (8-13) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
Red River Rock (IRE) 7-2 (9-4) In touch, chased leader over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out, won at Southwell 1m 6f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs in Jan beating Nod's Star (9-4) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Stolen Summer (IRE) 33-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 4l behind Atlantic Gamble (9-0) at W'hampton 1m 4f sll hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Blue Hills 20-1 (10-3) Led early, led over 4f out, headed over 1f out, led inside last, kept on, won at Southwell 2m amt hcp (5) fbs in Jan beating Stagecoach Emerald (11-2) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Equilibria (USA) 4-1jt-fav (10-11) Towards rear, headway well over 2f out, stayed on from over 1f out, not troubled leaders, 4th of 13, 9l behind Vanishing Dancer (11-1) at Kempton 1m 3f amt hcp (6) pol in Jan.
