raced wide, held up, ridden and weakened 2f out
chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon one pace
in touch, ridden and lost place halfway
tracked leader, led over 4f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, rallied and stayed on inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up and lost place, headway over 1f out, soon hung left, ridden to lead close home
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
slowly into stride, in rear, never dangerous
dwelt, soon led, keen, headed over 4f out, tracked leader after, ridden and led again over 1f out, headed and no extra close home
held up mid-division, effort on inside 2f out, weakened 1f out
The major players would seem to be Swiper Hill, Pititana and, possibly, Crafty Fox, with the vote given to the first-named. By City On A Hill out of an Alydar mare, Swiper Hill cost 36,000 guineas and catches the eye on breeding. Admittedly, he has yet to see the racecourse, but this race does not seem to have a great deal of strength in depth. Pititana is also debuting and this Xaar filly cost 70,000 euros. From the Richard Hannon yard, she seems sure to know her job and can go well. A 25,000 guineas son of Foxhound, Crafty Fox is another to consider, while Colonel Cotton's half-brother Royal Bandit, might go well, although he has an inexperienced rider on board. Bellabelini will, at least, not lack for experience and, even though her form looks modest, she cannot be discounted but the others could not be strongly fancied unless the betting says something different. All of which returns us to the selection, which is Swiper Hill.
Atticus Trophies (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Soon chasing leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 11, 12l behind Flylowflylong (9-2) at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Crafty Fox Foxhound gelding, half-brother to winning sprinter Mitsuki.
Royal Bandit King Charlemagne colt, half-brother to several winners including sprinter Colonel Cotton.
Swiper Hill (IRE) City On A Hill gelding, half brother to numerous winners up to 1m 1f.
Bellabelini (IRE) 4-1 (8-9) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, edged left and led 1f out, headed and not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Tawaaf (9-0) at W'hampton 6f 2yo mdn aut (6) pol in Dec.
Meddle 20-1 (8-9) Slowly into stride, always towards rear, last of 11, 18l behind Tiana (8-9) at Folkestone 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Sept.
Pititana (IRE) Xaar filly out of an unraced mare.
Precautionary 40-1 (8-7) Held up in touch, lost place over 2f out, came wide entering straight and weakened, 11th of 13, 18l behind Lucky Lark (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo mdn (5) pol.