held up and behind, came very wide entering straight, ridden over 1f out, headway and hung left inside final furlong, not reached leaders
not much room briefly start, soon pushed along, mid-division, ridden 5f out, headway 2f out, ran on inside final furlong to take 2nd last strides
went left start, chased leaders, led well over 1f out, ran on
pressed leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out
always in rear
held up in rear, ridden and weakened over 2f out
always prominent, ridden and not quicken inside final furlong
held up, headway and switched left well over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, not quicken towards finish
slightly bumped start, mid-division, headway on inside 2f out, weakened entering final furlong
led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong
held up, effort and edged left just over 1f out, soon beaten
Sion Hill, a winner over course and distance in December is the selection over Private Soldier and Savile's Delight. Sion Hill is not the most resolute of characters and therefore not the most prolific of winners but that is the case with many of his rivals here. His effort last time at Kempton was most disappointing but he did race from a bad draw and consequently never got involved. A reproduction of his second placing behind Sovereignity on his penultimate start would see him play a major role. He is likely to provide value in what is an open race. Private Soldier drops back two furlongs from his recent outings. Strong in the market on those starts, his inclination to hang left is a concern though that may be due to wilting stamina. He has travelled strongly in these event over 9F so the drop back to 7F should suit. Savile's Delight in contrast to Private Soldier steps up in trip, having been successful over the minimum trip at Southwell recently. Although a winner over three years ago over 7F, recent attempts at this trip have failed and under today's penalty, is readily passed over. Winged Farasi was another disappointment last time but has been competitive in recent weeks off his mark and on a circuit where there is more emphasis on stamina, he can ger in the shake up. A tight heat where a case can be made for quite a few but Sion Hill gets the vote.
Savile's Delight (IRE) 3-1 (9-0) Held up, headway halfway, led over 1f out, ran on well inside final furlong, eased near finish, won at Southwell 5f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs beating Kennington (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Winged Farasi 5-2fav (9-0) Soon chasing leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 9l behind High Class Problem (8-9) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Aggbag 9-1 (9-7) Held up in touch, bumped after 1f, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 6l behind Buzzin'boyzee (8-12) at Southwell 7f sll (6) fbs.
Private Soldier 2-1fav (8-5) Slowly into stride, held up, not clear run over 3f out, headway over 2f out, one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind The Salwick Flyer (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Benayoun 40-1 (8-5) Pushed along in rear, ridden over 2f out, hung left from well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 5l behind Green Pirate (8-12) at W'hampton 7f sll (6) pol in Jan.
Star of The Desert (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Chased leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 6l behind The Salwick Flyer (8-12) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
The Geester 12-1 (8-8) In touch, ridden along halfway, one pace final furlong, 6th of 13, 5l behind Cleveland (9-2) at Southwell 5f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
Guadaloup 5-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, outpaced, headway halfway, effort when not much room entering final furlong, kept on, 4th of 9, 1l behind Tenancy (8-7) at Southwell 6f hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Jan.
Cow Girl (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, led over 5f out, weakening when headed 2f out, 9th of 11, 16l behind Solicitude (9-1) at W'hampton 7f fll hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Sion Hill (IRE) 4-1 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 11l behind Over To You Bert (8-7) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Mister Always 6-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 5l behind Sovereignty (8-7) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-50 (6) pol in Jan.
Autograph Hunter 14-1 (8-7) Steadied start, held up behind, ridden over 2f out, soon struggling, last of 8, 17l behind Take A Mile (8-13) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
