slowly into stride, outpaced
chased leaders, pushed along 3f out, ridden and kept on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, no chance with winner
dwelt, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, ridden to chase winner inside final furlong, weakened near finish
held up, ridden halfway, weakened 2f out
made all, came centre over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, comfortable
in rear, ridden halfway never dangerous
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, one pace
with winner until 3f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
slowly into stride, outpaced, virtually pulled up final furlong
A poor start to proceedings should see Mount Hermon defy an absence to prevail, with Winged Farasi, Chart Oak and Cryptic Clue taken to chase him home. Mount Hermon did at least have the look of a fairly progressive sort as a juvenile, shaping with promise on each of his first two outings at Salisbury and Lingfield. Hugh Morrison's charge was then asked to tackle some classy youngsters in a valuable sales race at Newmarket on his final start in September, but was found wanting, finishing down the field. Put away after that effort, and sure to have strengthened up over the winter, he is sure to have been well galloped, and if anywhere near fit, should prove hard to beat. Winged Farasi has a fitness edge over the selection, having finished third over an extended mile at Wolverhampton 18-days ago, and this represents a welcome drop in class and trip. He appears to be the main danger, with Chart Oak needing to find something extra and Cryptic Clue already pretty much exposed here. First-time blinkers failed to do the trick on his last visit, and he and the rest will do well to stop Mount Hermon from opening his account.
Chart Oak 16-1 (9-2) Chased leader 10f out until 3f out, 8th of 11, 21l behind Three Boars (9-11) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Acapulco Bay Pursuit of Love gelding, half-brother to 6f-1m1f winner Lauro.
Cryptic Clue (USA) 12-1 (9-3) Hampered start, chased leaders, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 6l behind Ronnie Howe (9-3) at Southwell 5f 3yo mdn aut (5) fbs in Feb.
Danehill Warrior (IRE) 100-1 (8-10) In touch, lost place over 4f out, 7th of 8, 19l behind Rabbit Fighter (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
Mount Hermon (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) Raced stand side, held up, ridden halfway, soon beaten, 18th of 28, 14l behind Caldra (9-1) at Newmarket 6f 2yo aut (2) sft in Sept.
Storm Mission (USA) 20-1 (8-8) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression, soon weakened, 12th of 14, 15l behind Lake Pontchartrain (9-6) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Winged Farasi 18-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, mid-division, headway on inside 3f out, no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Rambling Light (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) pol.
Feels Like Heaven 20-1 (8-7) Held up, ridden 4f out, soon lost place, 6th of 9, 17l behind Arch of Titus (8-12) at Southwell 7f mdn aut stk (6) fbs.