led, headed well over 3f out, soon weakened
in touch in 4th, chased winner over 3f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken
held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, no impression final furlong
held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, one pace
tracked leader until over 6f out, weakened over 2f out
held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
tracked leaders, went 2nd over 6f out, led well over 3f out, kept on under pressure inside final furlong, held on well towards finish
held up towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, never dangerous
Il Portico is an interesting handicap debutant however MOONBALEJ and Temple Fair give Mark Johnston a strong hand and preference is for the former. The selection carries top-weight after three solid efforts this winter. He is no superstar but looks capable of winning off this mark and this track should suit. Port Hill ran his best race in a maiden here last time but has a 10lb higher mark as a result, Vitachi is a course winner but he has been doing well at a lower level, whilst Royal Torbo needs a market check as he steps up in trip but edges down the weights. Temple Fair always looked the sort to improve for this trip and ran well behind Keenes Royale last month. However he has since been well-held and hopes are rested on liking this new track. Second Brook holds him on that form, Il Portico could be well-handicapped but he needs to improve for the longer trip, whilst the same applies to Swindlers Lass. Not a strong race, but the nod goes to Moonbalej.
Moonbalej 4-1 (8-5) Took keen hold, tracked leader over 8f out, edged left and not look keen over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to press for 2nd, no chance with winner, 3rd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Beyond (9-2) at Lingfield 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Port Hill 50-1 (8-5) In rear, outpaced over 3f out, headway on outer over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Parhelion (8-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f mdn auc stks (6) pol.
Vittachi 4-1 (8-8) Slowly into stride, recovered to lead after 1f, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 8l behind Tuscan King (8-13) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo clm stks (5) pol.
Royal Torbo (KSA) 50-1 (8-4) Led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 8, 9l behind Srda (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Temple Fair (USA) 6-1 (8-4) Soon led, headed 4f out, chased winner until over 1f out, kept on, one pace, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Desert Recluse (8-5) at Kempton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Second Brook (IRE) 28-1 (8-12) Keen in mid-division, ridden and headway to chase winner 2f out, kept on, no impression on easy winner, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Desert Recluse (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Il Portico 100-1 (9-0) Mid-division, struggling over 2f out, 10th of 13, 14l behind Sharaayeen (9-0) at Ffos Las 1m 2yo mdn (4) gf in Sep.
Light The City (IRE) 50-1 (8-12) Dwelt, pushed along in mid-division, never dangerous, 6th of 7, 12l behind Just Mandy (8-7) at Southwell 1m 3yo sell stks (6) fbs.
Swindlers Lass (IRE) 150-1 (8-12) Went right start, in touch, pushed along 3f out, wide and struggling straight, 7th of 8, 11l behind My Nan Nell (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn auc stks (5) pol.
