steadied start, held up in rear, ran wide, headway approaching 3f out, ridden, hung left, kept on one pace final 2f
slowly into stride, prominent on outer after 3f, chased leader over 2f out, ridden, led over 1f out, edged left final furlong
led after 1f, ridden, headed 3f out, weakened 2f out
prominent, ridden halfway, weakened well over 2f out
keen, tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, weakened final furlong
led 1f, remained prominent, led again 3f out, ridden, headed over 1f out, kept on one pace
close up, ridden after 3f, lost place halfway, edged left 2f out, kept on under strong pressure to go 3rd inside final furlong
always in rear
Outlook has every chance on official BHA ratings but has been well held in two starts either side of the New Year so looks best watched and preference is for Blue Empire, with Ugenius rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has won his last two starts, both over course and distance, and the seven-year-old is taken to complete a third successive success today. Persian Fox has claims on the pick of his form but is inconsistent, while Rambling Socks has given little sign for optimism in recent starts over hurdles and looks best watched. A market move for the newcomer Zeffirelli would be of interest but of more interest is likely to be recent course handicap winner Ugenius. It is hard to get away from Blue Empire though and he is the one that they all have to beat.
Blue Empire (IRE) 7-1 (8-13) Held up, headway over 3f out, led over 2f out, driven and hung left approaching final furlong, kept on, won at Southwell 1m hcp 0-50 (6) fbs in Feb beating Wodhill Schnaps (8-11) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Boundless Prospect (USA) 14-1 (9-6) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no headway, soon weakened, last of 13, 7l behind Oasis Sun (8-13) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Feb.
Ugenius 7-2fav (8-7) Chased leaders, reminders after 2f, every chance 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 8th of 14, 11l behind West End Lad (8-11) at Southwell 1m clm (6) std.
Outlook 50-1 (8-11) Led, ridden and headed 4f out, weakened over 3f out, eased final furlong, tailed off, last of 7, 35l behind Yes One (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb.
Persian Fox (IRE) 10-1 (8-7) Held up, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 7l behind Jarvo (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-50 (6) pol.
Rambling Socks 40-1 (9-2) Mid-division, lost place over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 18l behind Distant Pleasure (8-8) at Redcar 1m mdn aut stk (6) gf in Jun.
Zeffirelli Tomba gelding, half-brother to 6f-7f winner Mister Elegant.
Amazing Spirit 66-1 (8-4) Soon led, headed after 1f, ridden over 3f out, weakened approaching final furlong, last of 9, 6l behind A Dream Come True (9-4) at W'hampton 1m 1f 3yo hcp (6) pol in Feb.
