tracked leading pair, went 2nd over 4f out until ridden over 3f out, weakened and struggling over 2f out
led, stayed in centre course in straight, ridden and headed 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
in touch in 4th place, good headway on outside over 4f out, went 2nd over 3f out and went to far side, ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on well
chased leader until over 4f out, struggling over 3f out, eased, tailed off
soon detached in rear, tailed off and eased final 3f
held up in last pair, headway to 3rd over 2f out, no chance of reaching leading duo, eased inside final furlong
SNOW HILL has not been since last September but the Halling gelding was really progressive last season and looks one to follow this term whatever his fate here. He starts his new campaign on a fair mark and we'll take a chance that Chris Wall will have him ready to go on his reappearance, especially as he will have no issues with prevailing ground conditions. It might be worth having a saver on Colinca's Lad though, who is clearly as good as ever despite having reached the age of 10. The dual course winner routed his field on his seasonal reappearance at Yarmouth and seems sure to give a good account once again. C&D winner Achalas turned into a consistent handicapper last term and Knightly Escapade is just the sort of late-maturing type that John Dunlop has specialised with during a distinguished career. The bottom three in the weights all have the benefit of guaranteed fitness but equally have something to find on the formbook.
Snow Hill 3-1fav (8-10) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, shaken up to lead over 1f out, kept on and edged left inside final furlong, won at Haydock 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Sep beating Persian Peril (9-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Achalas (IRE) (9-1) 4th of 7, 2 1/2l behind Technokrat (9-4) at Deauville(FR) 1m 4f stk in Dec.
Colinca's Lad (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Made all, clear from 6f out, rider dropped whip 2f out, stayed on, unchallenged, won at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcp 0-70 (5) gs beating Grandad Mac (9-1) by 6l, 6 ran.
Kleitomachos (IRE) 9-2 (9-7) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, tracked leaders after 4f, weakened well over 2f out, 7th of 8, well behind Hidden Valley (9-1) at Bath 2m 1f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct.
Archelao (IRE) 13-2 (9-2) Tracked leaders, led briefly 3f out, chased leader over 2f out, ridden to lead final 100yards, ran on, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 4yo clm stks 0-70 (6) pol in Mar beating Tuxedo (8-10) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Honourable Knight (IRE) 11-4 (9-3) Held up behind, headway on outside 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to chase winner final 100 yards, always held, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Shalambar (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hacp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Broughton Sands 14-1 (9-0) Went slightly left start, headway on outer to go mid-division over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 15, 2 3/4l behind Timocracy (8-5) at Windsor 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gd.
Knightly Escapade 14-1 (9-5) Close up, ridden to challenge when edged right 2f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Goodwood 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct beating Reem Star (9-7) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
