held up, took closer order halfway, chased leader over 1f out, soon led, pushed clear
in touch, ridden over 2f out, no impression
tracked leaders until over 4f out, soon ridden and lost touch
close up, ridden and slightly outpaced halfway, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 2f out
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, never nearer
close up, chased leader over 8f out, led narrowly over 7f out, headed over 4f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, hung left and weakened over 1f out
in touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on
slowly into stride, always in rear
slowly into stride, always in rear
pulled hard and led, headed narrowly over 7f out, led again over 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Withdrawn
Bienheureux can take the opener with Nimello and Ben Bacchus put up as the alternatives. Gay Kelleway's charge is not exactly the most consistent of creatures but this is his trip and Nicol Polli does at least have experience of handling him so a bold bid can be anticipated. Nimello is now at the carpet and slippers stage of his career. He ran creditably over this trip on his last start behind They All Laughed but there is a suspicion that his better trip is still a mile. Ben Bacchus landed something of a gamble when obliging in a poor race at Kempton. He has ran a place at this track in the past so following up will not be a forlorn hope. Key Partners is not the most frequent of winners so he isn't one to trust implicitly. That said, he is dropping the right way down the handicap. Kentucky Bullet is exposed as moderate although has few problems with the surface. Failed hurdler, Ruling Reef didnt make a bad stab at this game last time out and he does have a decent apprentice booked today. Not the strongest race to ever be staged here and we like Bienheureux.
Nimello (USA) 11-1 (8-7) Chased leading pair, slightly outpaced 3f out, effort over 1f out, kept on, 2nd of 5, 6l behind They All Laughed (9-3) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
Ben Bacchus (IRE) 11-10fav (9-1) Soon led, headed after 3f, led again over 4f out, driven and in command from over 2f out, won at Kempton 1m 4f Stks (41-45) (7) pol in Feb beating On Every Street (9-1) by 4l, 7 ran.
Amarillo Slim (IRE) 50-1 (8-11) Held up in rear, short-lived effort over 3f out, 11th of 13, 14l behind Schelm (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Feb.
Bienheureux 9-1 (8-7) Slowly away, raced in last place, ridden over 3f out, not trouble leaders, 4th of 5, 4 1/2l behind Rollin 'n Tumblin (9-2) at Lingfield 2m app hcp (5) pol.
Fifth Zak 16-1 (9-3) In touch, shaken up over 8f out, ridden 4f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 29l behind Motarjm (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Feb.
Miss Havisham (IRE) 25-1 (8-7) Mid-division, ridden and lost place over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 13th of 14, well behind Elopement (9-13) at Hamilton 1m 3f app hcp (6) gs in Sept.
Ruling Reef 16-1 (8-6) Held up, headway over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, chased winner over 1f out, soon switched left, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Ming Vase (8-11) at Southwell 1m 3f sll (6) fbs.
Topwell 100-1 (9-9) Slowly away, soon pushed along in rear, outpaced 6f out, ridden and headway 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 9, 10l behind Oberlin (8-5) at Southwell 1m 3f mdn stk (5) fbs in Feb.
Watermill (IRE) 100-1 (8-4) Led, headed over 9f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, last of 12, 46l behind York Cliff (8-11) at Ayr 1m 7f hcap (6) gs in May.
Acapulco Bay 11-1 (8-9) Behind, stayed on final 2f, 4th of 12, 6l behind Grethel (8-9) at Ayr 1m 1f 3yo clm (5) sft in Oct.
Kentucky Bullet (USA) 5-1 (8-4) Held up mid-division, pushed along 3f out, headway over 1f out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Karmest (9-2) at Southwell 1m 3f app hcp (6) fbs in Feb.
Key Partners (IRE) 4-1 (8-13) Led, ridden and headed well over 1f out, outpaced by winner final furlong, 2nd of 4, 6l behind Exit to Luck (9-12) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Feb.
