held up towards rear, headway on outer over 3f, driven over 1f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home
held up behind leaders, ridden along over 3f out, one pace final 2f
held up, smooth headway over 3f, quickened to lead over 2f, driven and kept on final furlong until headed and no extra close home
in touch, led after 4f, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, effort over 3f, soon beaten
prominent, ridden along over 4f, soon beaten
led, headed after 4f and remained in touch until weakened over 4f out
mid-division, headway over 4f, effort over 3f, no impression
behind and soon chased along, reminders over 5f out, some late headway, never reach challenging position
promient to halfway and soon tailed off
mid-division, headway over 3f, driven and kept on same pace final 2f
This looks a fairly open affair, but we'll give the vote to DART, in preference to Bold Bobby Be and Victory Quest. The selection has been off the track since winning here over 11 furlongs in December. The only question marks would be over the long lay-off and the step up in trip, but she's had plenty in reserve on previous occasions. Victory Quest is a course and distance winner, and a regular in this sort of contest, who had rewarded backers on a consistent basis. Bold Bobby Be ended a run of disappointing results by winning at Bath last time out over a slightly shorter trip. He's been inconsistent, but is now dropped down to a decent mark. A number here have course and or distance winning form, including our selection, Dart.
Victory Quest (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f, kept on final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Keenes Day (9-5) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Dart 1-2fav (8-12) Held up behind leaders, smooth progress to lead well over 2f out, soon clear, easily, won at Southwell 1m 3f mdn aut stk (6) fbs in Dec beating West End Lad (9-7) by 7l, 11 ran.
Bold Bobby Be (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, ran on well to lead well inside final furlong, won at Bath 1m 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gd beating Saloon (9-2) by 1l, 13 ran.
Blue Hills 12-1 (9-7) Chased leader, led after 1f, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 8l behind Bold Bobby Be (9-7) at Bath 1m 5f hcp 0-60 (6) gd.
Pretty Demanding (IRE) 12-1 (9-9) In touch, ridden and held when weakening approaching final furlong, 11th of 16, 4l behind Yes Eighteen (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Satindra (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) Tracked winner, driven 4f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 8, 15l behind Buscador (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Leyte Gulf (USA) 4-1 (9-4) Mid-division, in touch, hampered and lost place over 4f out, in rear after, 7th of 9, 15l behind Opera Writer (9-4) at Warwick 1m 5f hcp 0-65 (6) sft.
Abounding 16-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, driven 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, last of 16, 17l behind Yes Eighteen (8-9) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Trance (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Slow into stride, behind, hung right from over 2f out, stayed on final 2f, 5th of 16, 19l behind Prince Rhyddarch (10-3) at Newcastle 1m 4f amt hcp (6) hvy.
Winter Lane 66-1 (8-2) Keen, tracked leader, ridden 6f out, weakened over 4f out, 6th of 7, well behind Three Boars (8-13) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Jetta Joy (IRE) 40-1 (7-8) Prominent, ridden along and outpaced over 4f out, stayed on final 2f, 6th of 12, 15l behind Merrymaker (9-7) at Catterick 2m hcap (6) gs in Sept.
