led over 1f, remained prominent, pushed along over 3f out, ran on under strong pressure inside final to lead towards finish
in touch, raced keenly, 2nd over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home
carried left start, soon steadied into rear, headway 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on same pace
went left start, raced keenly, chased leader over 6f out until 2f out, soon one pace
hampered start, held up, not clear run over 2f out, never dangerous
led 7f out, hard ridden and edged right over 1f out, headed towards finish
HOLD THE BUCKS looks primed for a big run here and he is taken to get the better of Madison Belle and Sicilian Warrior. The selection did not see out the trip at Great Leighs last time but prior to that he had been in terrific form. He has a good draw and he is a course and distance winner and back over this more suitable trip this progressive two-year-old should take plenty of stopping. Madison Belle was well beaten last time out but she is stepped-up in trip today and it will be interesting to see if that brings about any improvement. Sicilian Warrior is a lightly-raced colt and he is another that is upped in trip today. Turn To Dreams also tackles this trip for the first time but she shaped at Kempton last time as though this extra yardage would suit and she could go well. There are question marks regarding a number of these, but Hold The Bucks ticks plenty of boxes and he can resume winning ways.
Hold The Bucks (USA) 13-2 (8-13) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra near finish, 4th of 10, 2l behind Canmoss (8-11) at Great Leighs 1m 2f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Dec.
Madison Belle 10-1 (9-7) Held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f, driven approaching final furlong, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 4l behind Spiritual Art (9-3) at Southwell 6f 2yo hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.
Sicilian Warrior (USA) 25-1 (8-9) Ridden along soon after start, in rear, ridden over 2f out, no headway and never dangerous final 2f, 7th of 10, 2 1/2l behind True Britannia (8-2) at Kempton 7f 2yo clm (6) pol in Dec.
Talsarnau (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) In rear and outpaced, 8th of 10, 15l behind Proclaim (9-3) at Chester 7f 2yo mdn (4) gd in Aug.
Give (IRE) 20-1 (8-2) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 8l behind Autumn Morning (8-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo clm (6) pol in Dec.
Turn To Dreams 14-1 (8-8) Always in rear, 7th of 11, 11l behind Cut And Thrust (9-7) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp (6) std in Dec.
Alderbed 33-1 (8-7) Towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace, 5th of 13, 7l behind Autumn Morning (8-0) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo clm (6) pol in Dec.
