towards rear, headway and switched right over 1f out, soon not much room, ridden inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, led over 1f out, soon ridden, kept on well
tracked leaders and keen, lost place halfway
mid-division, headway 2f out on outer, ridden over 1f out, kept on to chase winner towards finish, always held
with leader, ridden and weakened over 1f out
towards rear, some headway over 1f out, no impression
tracked leaders on inner, not much room over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, one pace
always in rear
with leaders, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon headed and weakened
tracked leaders, ridden well over 1f out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, weakened over 1f out
led, headed over 2f out, soon ridden, every chance over 1f out, lost 2nd when no extra towards finish
held up mid-division, pushed along halfway, switched left over 1f out, kept on
Nonrunner
RIO MIST is on the upgrade and is readily selected ahead of Elusive Trader and Addictive Dream. The last named showed a good deal of improvement to slip the noose at Wolverhampton last time out. Obviously he faces a stiffer test in a handicap for the first time today. But the manner of that all-weather success created a very favourable impression and this improving three-year-old has to be respected; even though he makes his turf debut this afternoon. Elusive Trader made the most of a good opportunity when he last raced and also starts the new campaign with a hat brimming full of promise. This is his first start since leaving Richard Hannon but he is still in very capable hands and can be nurtured to good effect for a similar event. Adventure Story, a stablemate of the selection, showed plenty of zest to win a Doncaster maiden on her final start last season. However, the fact that Richard Hughes deserts her to team up with Rio Mist is a big clue on its own. Hughes is already acquainted with this progressive filly and, with all indicators pointing towards another success for team Hannon, Rio Mist is a fairly confident selection.
Elusive Trader (USA) 10-11fav (9-3) Pressed leader, ridden over 1f out, soon led, driven out (hand timed), won at Beverley 5f 2yo mdn (5) gf in Sep beating Final Ovation (9-3) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Rio Mist 11-4fav (8-13) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders over 1f out, chased winner inside final furlong, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Diman Waters (8-12) at Haydock 5f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Apr.
Kingsgate Choice (IRE) 5-4fav (9-3) Pulled hard, tracked leaders, chased leader over 1f out, ridden to lead 1f out, ran on, won at Wolverhampton 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (5) pol in Nov beating Esuvia (8-12) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Addictive Dream (IRE) 15-2 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, driven to lead inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Wolverhampton 5f mdn stks (5) pol in Mar beating Val C (8-7) by 2l, 12 ran.
Valmina 7-4fav (9-7) Led, ridden and hung right from over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Clear Ice (9-3) at Southwell 6f 2yo hco 0-75 (5) fbs in Dec.
Rolling Hills (IRE) 5-1 (8-13) With winner, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind The Rectifier (8-13) at Folkestone 7f mdn stks (5) gf in Apr.
Nubar Boy 33-1 (8-7) In rear, effort over 1f out, no impression final furlong, 7th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Duellist (9-0) at Kempton 7f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Apr.
Torres Del Paine 15-2 (9-3) Keen tracked leader, ridden 2f out, led just inside final furlong, headed final strides, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Progress (8-12) at Kempton 6f 3yo mdn stks (5) pol in Feb.
Fawley Green 5-1 (9-1) Slight lead, ridden over 1f out, soon pressed, kept narrow lead until no extra and headed final strides, 2nd of 8, shd behind Basle (9-2) at Ffos Las 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gf.
Avonvalley 16-1 (9-3) Raced in rear, ridden halfway, soon no impression, 6th of 9, 6l behind Felsham (9-2) at Bath 5f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) fm in Apr.
Feeling Fragile (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Pulled hard in rear, never a factor, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Felsham (9-2) at Bath 5f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) fm in Apr.
Joe Packet 11-2 (8-13) In touch, progress to track leading pair 3f out, ridden and weakened final furlong, 4th of 11, 9l behind The Rectifier (8-13) at Folkestone 7f mdn stks (5) gf in Apr.
Silvee 66-1 (8-12) Always behind, 8th of 11, 15l behind Sard (8-12) at Goodwood 7f 3yo mdn aut (5) gd.
Adventure Story 4-1 (8-12) Headway 2f out, led entering final furlong, kept on, won at Doncaster 6f 2yo mdn (4) sft in Nov beating Jarrow (9-3) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
