in touch, ridden over 2f out, faded final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leaders, weakened over 3f out
held up in touch, chased winner from over 4f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in touch, headway over 3f out, stayed on inside final furlong
held up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, held up in rear, effort over 2f out, no impression
held up in touch, pushed along 8f out, ridden over 3f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on
slowly away, tracked winner until over 4f out, ridden and weakened 2f out
Course and distance form holds the key here, we feel, with Beldon Hill selected ahead of Jazrawy and Piper General. Beldon Hill has now won three of his last four races and comes here on the back of an emphatic 14-furlong win. Much as he has a penalty to shoulder, he can go well again in a bid to register another success. Jazrawy has now won his last four races and he made the successful step from claiming company to win a handicap last time; however, he now races from a career high so has to find even more improvement in order to score today. Finally, a return to his course and distance winning form of December 2005 would give Piper General claims and he should be fitter after a couple of recent runs following a break, and Credential has place claims based on his third to the selection two runs ago. These things said, for today the selection is Beldon Hill.
Beldon Hill (USA) 8-1 (8-5) Tracked leaders, led 2f out, soon edged left, driven clear inside final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs beating Arsad (8-8) by 5l, 8 ran.
Jazrawy 11-2 (9-5) Made all, ridden along 3f out, driven over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs beating Raise The Heights (8-11) by a shd, 10 ran.
Piper General (IRE) 5-2fav (11-1) Keen, in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 11l behind Reminiscent (10-2) at W'hampton 1m 6f amt hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Amwell Brave 9-2 (9-10) Held up , headway over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 1l behind Lorikeet (9-2) at Lingfield 2m hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Great Man (FR) 20-1 (8-7) Chased leaders, stayed on from over 1f out, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Desert Leader (9-2) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Credential 4-1 (8-6) With winner, pushed along 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 8l behind Greenbelt (8-4) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Russian Dream (IRE) 14-1 (8-11) Towards rear, kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 10th of 14, 6l behind Wait For The Will (8-13) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jan.
Opera Writer (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Towards rear, some late headway, never reached challenging position, 6th of 10, 8l behind Jazrawy (9-5) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.