refused to race, took no part
tracked leading pair, pushed along 2f out, soon driven, led 1f out, strongly pressed throughout final furlong, held on gamely
went right start, tracked leader, pushed along 2f out, driven and every chance under pressure over 1f out, not pace of front pair final furlong
led on rail, set steady pace, ridden and quickened 2f out, driven and headed 1f out, edged right and one pace final furlong
bumped and switched right start, held up in rear, eased to outside from over 2f out, driven over 1f out, strong challenge and pressed winner throughout final furlong, just failed
It might be time to panic with Don't Panic as he cannot seem to leave the starting stalls and a safer bet may be the progressive PERKS. John Dunlop's yard have burst into life in recent days and the selection is likely to be somewhat of a torch-bearer for the yard this year. He disappointed on his final start last season up at Ayr but it had been a long year and the winter off should have refreshed him. He won very well on his first start last season so running well fresh is not a problem and if he handles this quicker ground then he should run well. Ordnance Row was beaten in this race last year and usually needs a run or two to hit his stride - there is also an argument to say that his official rating of 112 flatters him slightly and therefore we will take him on. Don't Panic tries blinkers for the first time, Moyenne Corniche has his first start for a new yard today and he drops in class, whilst Perfect Stride and General Elliot look the sort to improve this season after shaping very nicely as three-year-olds. Laa Rayb has won here before and he will have no problem if the ground stays on the quick side, but in a closely-matched contest it is Perks who is narrowly preferred.
Don't Panic (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Refused to race, took no part, in a race won by Expresso Star (8-12) at Doncaster 1m hcp (4yo+) (2) gf in Mar, 20 ran.
General Eliott (IRE) 7-4fav (9-0) Led narrowly, headed over 2f out, weakened rapidly, 13th of 14, 30l behind Mac Love (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3yo Listed stks (1) pol in Nov.
Laa Rayb (USA) (9-0) 13th of 14, well behind Good Ba Ba (9-0) at Sha Tin(HK) 1m Grp 1 gd in Dec.
Ordnance Row 8-1 (9-3) Raced stand side, chased leader until over 2f out, 12th of 15, 10l behind Stimulation (9-1) at Newmarket 7f stks (1) gd in Oct.
Perfect Stride 7-1 (8-11) Mid-division, lost place over 2f out, 11th of 15, 12l behind Eagle Mountain (9-0) at Newmarket 1m Grp 3 (1) gf in Oct.
Moyenne Corniche 20-1 (8-11) Led until over 2f out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, 13l behind Eagle Mountain (9-0) at Newmarket 1m Grp 3 (1) gf in Oct.
Perks (IRE) Evensfav (8-8) Held up, ridden over 2f out, soon headway, kept on, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Lady Deauville (8-7) at Ayr 1m 2f Listed stks (1) hvy in Sep.
