held up, ridden to chase leading trio 3f out, kept on
tracked leader, always going well, joined leader on bit approaching 1f out, cruised past to take lead inside final furlong, cleverly ridden
mid-division, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
led and soon clear, headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, fading when headed inside final furlong
took keen hold, chased leaders over 2f out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up, ridden 3f out, some late progress
Chookie Hamilton goes for his hat-trick here and is taken to do so ahead of Mastership, Beech Games and Pret A Porter. The selection is two from two on the all-weather and could be up to defying a 3lb rise for his last success. That was a game performance as he battled hard when in front a fair way from home, and as a horse with a very progressive look to him, he looks the one to be on. The main danger could come from Clive Brittain's Mastership who looked slightly unlucky when beaten just a head last time out over course and distance, and if getting a clearer passage today he should go very close today, especially with his stable in good form of late. Pret A Porter won going away a fortnight ago with first-time blinkers on and if they have the same effect today he must rate a danger. Beech Games is paying for his consistency this winter and runs off what looks a fairly stiff mark so looks one just for place money again, whilst View From The Top has been disappointing in his three runs so far but should be watched for signs of confidence on his nursery debut. Overall though, Chookie Hamilton has ticks in all the right boxes and so he gets the vote.
Beech Games 8-1 (9-4) Ridden to lead, headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Love Dubai (9-1) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Mastership (IRE) 7-2fav (9-2) Held up, headway when not clear run over 2f out, ridden to chase winner entering final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 10, nk behind My Secrets (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Breezeway (IRE) 8-1 (8-13) Always behind, struggling final 3f, eased when no chance final furlong, 8th of 11, 19l behind Bed Fellow (8-12) at Newbury 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) hvy in Oct.
Strike Force 4-1 (9-1) Led 1f, chased leader, ridden 3f out, wandered under pressure from over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, last of 5, 4l behind Tobosa (9-13) at Newmarket 7f 2yo hcp (4) gf in Aug.
Chookie Hamilton 7-4fav (8-6) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, soon challenged, stayed on well, won at Southwell 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) fbs beating Victor Trumper (9-7) by a shd, 4 ran.
View From The Top 8-1 (9-3) Led until halfway, weakened well over 1f out, 7th of 13, 11l behind Farleigh House (9-3) at Lingfield 7f 2yo mdn auc (6) gd in Sept.
Henry The Seventh 9-2 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Milson's Point (7-13) at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Pret A Porter (UAE) 12-1 (9-0) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on, won at W'hampton 1m 1f 2yo clm (5) pol beating Right Option (8-6) by 3l, 10 ran.
