chased leaders on outer, ridden 2f out, soon outpaced and weakened over 1f out
held up, took keen hold, headway on inner over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, to take 3rd close home
led narrowly and always pressed, ridden over 1f out, no extra when headed inside final furlong and lost 2 places close home
pressed leader, every chance from over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, and lost 2 places final strides
held up in touch, kept on steadily final furlong, to take 2nd close home, not troubled winner
always towards rear, ridden well over 1f out, no impression
tracked leaders, quickened to lead on inside final furlong, drew clear, driven out (hand timed)
went left start, always in rear, outpaced well over 1f out, never in contention
slowly into stride, held up, ridden over 1f out, no impression on leaders, stayed on one pace
A race that should chiefly concern Monte Major and HOLLOW JO and we will side with the latter. Fergus Sweeney will want to make this quick from the off, as his mount Hollow Jo stays six furlongs well, but has the speed for this trip as evidenced last time. The nine-year-old carries a 6lb penalty for that success but there looked perhaps to be more in the locker and we will side with him to follow up. Monte Major has won around here but does prefer Wolverhampton, where he won last time over this trip. A 6lb penalty is not insurmountable and he will undoubtedly be competitive. Night Premiere is a maiden after 16 starts and does not inspire confidence in that respect. However, a very promising effort at Lingfield last time will ensure he has some supporters. Welsh Opera is tried over the minimum trip for the first time, and her speed for this must be questionable, so we will oppose. Taboor is admirable for one his age but will surely find a couple too good again and one of them can be the selection Hollow Jo.
Monte Major (IRE) 15-8fav (9-0) In touch, went 2nd well over 1f out, led entering final furlong, ran on under pressure, won at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol beating The Geester (9-3) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Hollow Jo 7-2 (9-5) Held up in touch, effort entering final furlong, ridden and ran on to lead well inside final furlong, won at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol beating Head To Head (9-1) by 1l, 9 ran.
Lithaam (IRE) 16-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride and slightly short of room start, soon in touch, edged left final furlong, one pace, 5th of 10, 4l behind Monte Major (9-0) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Green Lagonda (AUS) 8-1 (9-3) Soon led, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Namu (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Jan.
Fizzlephut (IRE) 16-1 (8-10) Ran wide entering straight, always towards rear, last of 10, 16l behind Tyrannosaurus Rex (8-7) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Rocketball (IRE) 18-1 (8-3) Led, headed over 1f, driven and kept on final furlong, 3rd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Fyodor (9-9) at Southwell 5f clm (6) fbs in Dec.
Welsh Opera 7-2 (9-4) Led 1f, led over 3f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, hampered soon after, beaten, 2nd of 4, 4l behind Here Comes Danny (8-13) at W'hampton 6f mdn stk (5) pol.
Night Premiere (IRE) 7-2 (8-6) Tracked leaders, chased winner over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra and lost 2 places close home, 4th of 8, 3/4l behind Ten Down (9-3) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Meikle Barfil 25-1 (8-12) In rear, ridden 2f out, kept on never nearer, 5th of 9, 2 1/2l behind Hollow Jo (9-5) at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol.
Rabbit Fighter (IRE) 8-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, last of 14, 22l behind Norcroft (9-6) at Southwell 7f hcp 0-60 (6) fbs in Jan.
Taboor (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) Held up in rear, came wide entering straight, headway over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Nawaaff (8-11) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Lady Bahia (IRE) 16-1 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on final furlong, not paced to challenge, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Hollow Jo (9-5) at Kempton 5f hcp (6) pol.
