in rear, hung right and went wide from over 3f out
held up, headway over 1f out, kept on to lead well inside final furlong, joined line
held up, effort and headway 2f out, ran on strongly to get up line
chased leaders, ridden and weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, weakened inside final furlong
slowly into stride, always in the rear
led, ridden approaching 2f out, fading when headed well inside final furlong
Bertbrand, Sovine Requisite are three against the field in this trappy finale and the narrow vote is given to Bertbrand. The selection won with a little in hand last time out when beating Caprio and although slightly higher in the weights he is taken to defy the handicapper under conditions that suit. Sovine rates the main danger as he won a nursery by a short head when beating Archmani. However this looks tougher and he looks vulnerable off this slightly higher mark. Requisite is another that could go well as he beat Salt Of The Earth in a maiden last time out. However he looks to have plenty of weight for what he has actually achieved. Of the others Valhillen is rising in the weights while Asian Power is game and consistent and is hard to win with but for the winner we return to Bertbrand who won well last time out.
Bertbrand 16-1 (8-11) Led early, always prominent, led over 1f out, hung right inside final furlong, ran on well, won at W'hampton 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol beating Caprio (9-2) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Sovine (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Soon chased leader, improved to lead under 2f out, ridden and pressed final furlong, just held on, won at Dundalk 6f 2yo hcp 0-70 std in Dec beating Archmani (9-5) by a shd, 9 ran.
Requisite 3-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, edged right inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 6f 3yo mdn (5) pol beating Salt of The Earth (9-3) by a hd, 9 ran.
Asian Power (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Soon in touch, weakened inside final 2f, 9th of 12, 8l behind Raiding Party (9-4) at W'hampton 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Oct.
Valhillen 3-1co-fav (8-9) Broke well, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 5f 3yo hcp (5) pol beating Blakeshall Diamond (8-10) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Annes Rocket (IRE) 20-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, headway 2f out, ridden and weakened final furlong, 5th of 7, 10l behind American Art (9-4) at Kempton 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Loose Caboose (IRE) 12-1 (8-8) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Only A Game (9-1) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp (5) fbs.