in touch in rear, pushed along at times, headway when not clear run over 1f out, soon switched right, effort inside final furlong, ridden and ran on, not quite reach winner
keen close up, headway on outer to chase leader over 1f out, led well inside final furlong, ridden out
keen led, ridden over 1f out, headed and no extra well inside final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
Only five runners but all can be given a chance. Beau Select is the only one with a recent outing when runner-up at Kempton last month and a 5lb claimer helps his cause today. High Troja and Storming should both be capable of better this year and Open Letter won a nursery at Yarmouth in September before finishing second at this track over a shorter trip. REGAL HAWK also steps up a furlong after making a winning debut here in October over the extended mile and James Tate's filly gets the vote to remain unbeaten in a wide-open contest.
High Troja (IRE) 2-1fav (9-3) Led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, tried to rally inside final furlong, winner too good, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Mutashaded (9-3) at Yarmouth 1m 2yo mdn (5) hvy in Oct.
Regal Hawk 11-2 (8-12) Not much room and squeezed out soon after start, held up and behind, going well when not clear run on inside over 2f out until 2f out, led over 1f out, soon hung badly right, stayed on well, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Oct beating Aneedh (9-3) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Storming (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Raced near side, mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, no chance, when hung left under pressure over 1f out, 9th of 15, 7l behind Red Avenger (9-6) at Newmarket 1m 2yo hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Open Letter (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden and headway inside final 2f, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on to press winner near finish, just held, 2nd of 11, nk behind Nine Iron (9-4) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Oct.
Beau Select (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Chased leading trio, pushed along 3f out, stayed on to 2nd final 75 yards, kept on on well, always just held, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind Byroness (9-0) at Kempton 1m 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb.