Verdict

BLUE HILLS is taken to defy his six pound penalty with both Terminate and Slew Charm worth noting. The selection won nicely at Southwell last week and connections are keen to race again before the handicapper gets a chance to reassess him. He had run well in a hurdle race prior to that success so he seems to be very versatile in his attitude and if he can recapture his recent form he ought to take all the beating. Terminate will pose as the biggest danger having caught the eye when second to Imperium at Kempton last time out. Again he looks well treated on some of his old form and is worth noting in the betting market. Slew Charm is another to have caught the eye when finishing second at this venue last time out. He was coming back from long absence that day and will strip fitter this time around so is worth adding to the short list. However for the winner we return to Blue Hills.

Formwatch

Blue Hills 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, led 8f out, ridden clear over 3f out, stayed on, won at Southwell 1m 6f amt hcp (6) fbs in Jan beating Safin (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.

Punta Galera (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Held up behind mid-division, ridden over 3f out, soon struggling, never dangerous, 11th of 12, 17l behind Imperial Harry (9-7) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.

Slew Charm (FR) 8-1 (9-2) Towards rear, headway on inner over 2f out, led inside final furlong, caught post, 2nd of 11, hd behind Safin (8-9) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.

Generous Star 7-2fav (9-8) Held up, headway over 4f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 4th of 10, 8l behind Dansilver (9-7) at W'hampton 2m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.

Dr McFab 33-1 (8-8) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, last of 8, 20l behind Blakfrankisch (9-5) at Newbury 1m 3f app hcp (5) gd in Jul.

Terminate (GER) 2-1fav (9-3) Steadied start, held up last, headway over 2f out to chase leaders, effort and every chance over 1f out, no extra and soon outpaced by winner, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Imperium (9-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.

Bet Noir (IRE) 14-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, always behind, 14th of 16, 30l behind Black Rain (9-4) at Windsor 1m 4f 3yo hcp (5) gd in Oct.

Ruby Delta 33-1 (8-10) Mid-division, ridden and lost place 5f out, headway 4f out, kept on to lead final furlong, all out towards finish, won at W'hampton 1m 4f sll (6) pol in Sept beating Well Informed (8-4) by a nk, 10 ran.

Prairie Hawk (USA) 11-10fav (8-2) Prominent, ridden along over 4f, weakened over 2f, last of 6, 18l behind Orkney (8-10) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec.

Mega Steps (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Behind, pushed along halfway, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 31l behind Quitit (8-13) at Catterick 2m hcp 0-70 (5) gs in Oct.

Bond Casino 25-1 (8-9) Led, headed over 4f out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 31l behind Sabancaya (8-13) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.

Sir Joey 100-1 (8-7) In rear, reminders 9f out, never a factor, 12th of 13, 45l behind Nawamees (9-0) at Southwell 1m 4f sll (6) fbs in Jan.