in rear, outpaced over 4f out, headway on outside 3f out, soon ridden, chased winner briefly over 1f out, kept on same pace, no impression
in touch main group, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on same pace, weakened final furlong
chased clear leader, headway to lead 2f out, ridden inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up behind, outpaced 3f out soon ridden, never on terms
mid-division, headway 4f out, ridden and effort 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression final furlong
prominent main group, outpaced 3f out, switched outside and headway 2f out, soon ridden, went 2nd when edged left 1f out, kept on, no impression
led and soon well clear, reduced lead over 2f out, soon headed, weakened over 1f out
Little Rocky gained plenty of admirers when landing a Hamilton maiden but this is very much tougher. Richard Fahey saddles both The Mellor Fella and Las Verglas Star and the latter would be the choice if the going turns testing. Shadow Catcher is on the upgrade and won nicely on fast going at Nottingham while there is plenty of improvement in Chill, who scored on heavy ground at Warwick in October. AGIAAL dead-heated with Enthusing in a handicap over the C&D last month and though 7lb higher the front-pair had plenty to spare over the remainder and the form looks useful. Home Office has run two shockers since an excellent effort at Sandown and is tried in blinkers for the first time.
Little Rocky 8-15fav (8-13) Held up towards rear, smooth headway on outside over 2f out, shaken up to lead 1f out, soon clear, easily, won at Hamilton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) gd in May beating Abdicate (8-8) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
The Mellor Fella 13-2 (9-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon led, kept on well, driven out, won at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May beating Maverik (9-3) by 3l, 8 ran.
Las Verglas Star (IRE) 11-10fav (9-1) Held up in touch, ridden to challenge 2f out, every chance over 1f out, soon edged left and one pace, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Maverik (8-11) at Newcastle 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Apr.
Malpas Missile (IRE) 1-4fav (9-0) Made all, driven clear well over 1f out, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn fll auc stks (6) pol in Dec beating Boushra (9-0) by 5l, 8 ran.
Shadow Catcher 4-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, soon settled into mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out and under pressure, kept on gamely towards finish, won at Nottingham 1m 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in May beating Ferruccio (9-0) by nk, 10 ran.
Chill (IRE) 11-2 (8-9) Awkward and went right start, towards rear, pushed along on inside 3f out, switched left and stayed on from over 1f out, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 10, 4l behind May's Boy (8-1) at Sandown 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf.
Home Office 15-2 (8-12) Pressed leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 9, 32l behind Regimental (8-2) at Haydock 7f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gs.
Agiaal (USA) 4-1 (8-13) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 1f out, pressed leader inside final furlong, joined on line, won at Haydock 1m 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gd in May deadheating with Enthusing (8-12), 10 ran.
