slowly into stride, steady headway 4f out, ridden and weakened over 1f out
led, shaken up 2f out, under pressure when headed close home
held up, headway over 5f out, ridden and weakened 3f out
tracked leader, ridden 4f out, wandered over 1f out and again inside final furlong, kept on gamely to lead close home
tracked leaders, chased leaders 2f out, held approaching final furlong
always behind
reluctant to race, took keen hold 8f out, ridden 4f out and behind, jumped left throughout
An interesting little handicap where Beldon Hill is taken to complete a hat-trick at the main expense of Share The Feeling, Valart and Croix Rouge. The selection steps up in trip here after wins at both Southwell and this track over 12 furlongs. However, his style of running suggests that he will take to this well, and in receipt of 8lb from his most serious rival he looks good enough to make it a treble. Share The Feeling carries a penalty for scoring over c&d last time and he stays forever. He is likely to make this a stiff test for the selection but is taken on as he is in unchartered territory trying to win off this mark for the first time. Valart returns from a break and has enough form in the book to suggest that a place is not beyond him here, while Torrid Kentavr has a squeak on some of his old form, and Croix Rouge looks interesting on his British debut and market support would probably be significant. But without that knowledge we will take Beldon Hill to make it a three-timer.
Torrid Kentavr (USA) 12-1 (9-0) Always towards rear, 12th of 17, 22l behind Kerdem (9-6) at Fairyhouse 1m 4f hcp 0-100 sft in Sept.
Share The Feeling (IRE) 9-4fav (9-7) Held up, headway over 6f out, led over 2f out, kept on well final furlong, won at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) pol beating Three Thieves (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Croix Rouge (USA) (9-4) Won at Mijas 1m 3f stk std in Aug beating Strasbourg (9-4) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Positive Profile (IRE) 6-1 (9-13) Held up, pushed along over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 6, 33l behind Victory Quest (9-1) at Southwell 2m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Beldon Hill (USA) Evensfav (8-6) In touch, ridden and headway over 2f out, switched left inside final furlong, ran on to lead soon after, won at W'hampton 1m 4f fll hcp (5) pol beating Symbol Of Peace (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Zacatecas (GER) 66-1 (9-3) Always in rear, 11th of 14, 8l behind Amwell Brave (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Valart 8-1 (9-1) Held up, never dangerous, 7th of 9, 9l behind Broughtons Folly (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Play The Ball (USA) 40-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 7l behind Foreplay (9-2) at W'hampton 7f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.