slowly into stride in rear, ridden and some headway over 3f out, never dangerous
in touch, led over 3f out, ridden and hung right from well over 1f out, driven out
held up in touch, chased winner 3f out, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, unable to quicken inside final furlong
chased leader until over 3f out, soon weakened
slowly into stride, in rear, headway on outer from 4f out, ridden and weakened 3f out
dwelt, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 3f out, kept on but no chance with first 2
mid-division, ridden 4f out, no real headway
in touch 8f
in rear, ridden halfway, driven and kept on under strong pressure from over 1f out
held up mid-division, headway 4f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out
always in rear
always towards rear
close up over 9f
soon led, ridden and headway over 3f out, soon weakened
A chance is taken with course debutante Prince Valentine, with old rivals Moon Shot and Bulberry Hill also expected to go well. There may also be more to come from Heversham now that he is being tried over a longer trip and he is one to take notes on for next time. Bulberry Hill is in great heart at present and has shown a liking for this surface. Sam Hitchcott knows him well and the partnership are likely to be in there pitching when push comes to shove. So too will Moon Shot and Neil Callan, who have built up a good working relationship between them. Another bold bid is anticipated this afternoon. However, preference just goes to Prince Valentine, who has been banging on the door in this sort of company lately and looks well worth another chance. Market moves for Extra Cover or Jackie Kiely would also be noteworthy for those trying to take care of every eventuality. But the value call is Prince Valentine, who is fancied to give us another good run for the money now that he tries something new
Extra Cover (IRE) 20-1 (9-3) Slowly into stride, ridden over 4f out, kept on final 2f, never near leaders, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Macaroni Gold (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f sll (6) fbs.
Jackie Kiely 8-1 (8-11) Never better than mid-division, 7th of 11, 6l behind Sovereign Spirit (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs.
Moon Shot 5-1 (9-4) Held up, headway over 2f out, hung right and led over 1f out, ridden out, won at Southwell 1m 4f banded stk (7) fbs beating Bulberry Hill (8-13) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Fillameena 4-1fav (9-5) In touch until ridden and weakened 2f out, 9th of 14, 6l behind So Elegant (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 5f banded stk (7) pol in Oct.
Bulberry Hill 4-1 (8-13) Held up, headway over 2f out, every chance from over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Moon Shot (9-4) at Southwell 1m 4f banded stk (7) fbs.
Mr Whizz 7-1 (9-0) Close up, challenged from 5f out until weakened 3f out, 8th of 13, 13l behind Anniversary Guest (9-7) at Folkestone 1m 7f banded stk (7) gf in Sept.
Prince Valentine 7-1 (9-0) Held up, headway 2f out, every chance from over 1f out, ridden and ran on, 2nd of 13, hd behind Tharua (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f banded stk (7) pol in Dec.
Settle (IRE) 22-1 (8-11) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened 3f out, 8th of 13, 5l behind Regency Red (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f banded stk (7) pol in Dec.
