raced freely tracking winner, effort on inside over 1f out, faded final furlong
tracked leader, pushed along over 3f out, ridden to challenge over 1f out, weakened closing stages
made all, set steady pace until quickened halfway, hung right when ridden approaching final furlong, stayed on well
slowly into stride, in touch, effort over 2f out, soon weakened
dwelt, held up in rear but in touch, headway over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, chased winner inside final furlong, nearest finish
held up in rear but in touch, under pressure well over 2f out, soon beaten
took keen hold in touch, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
YAIR HILL won a similar contest over 6f here earlier this month. He's favoured at the weights in this and has won four times over today's distance in the past. Naoise was winning over longer trips here in October and should be in the mix but Bush Beauty has a bit to find on today's terms after going close in a handicap here a week ago. Ortac Rock drops back down in class but has not won since 2013.
Naoise (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Keen, held up, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders, 5th of 7, 13l behind Starfield (8-10) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Dec.
Applejack Lad 15-2 (9-7) Prominent, ridden over 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 12, 6l behind Baltic Prince (9-5) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Dec.
Ortac Rock (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along halfway, sooon ridden, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 5th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Rouge Nuage (9-5) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-75 (5) in Dec.
Powerful Pierre 33-1 (9-0) Slowly away in rear, ridden over 2f out, never on terms, 8th of 9, 9l behind Living Leader (9-1) at Lingfield 7f clm stks (6) pol in Nov.
Bush Beauty (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Tango Sky (8-10) at Wolverhampton 7f app hcp 0-65 (6).
Mister Green (FR) 25-1 (8-12) In touch, weakened 2f out, last of 7, 16l behind Prime Exhibit (9-7) at Lingfield 1m app sll stks (6) pol in Dec.
Yair Hill (IRE) 5-2 (8-7) Chased leaders on inside, ridden and went 2nd 1f out, led well inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Wolverhampton 6f clm stks 0-75 (5) beating Haadeeth (7-8) by 3/4l, 5 ran.