tracked leaders, ridden and led inside final furlong, ridden out
keen, held up, never troubled leaders
held up, ridden over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest finish
chased leaders, ridden headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden and some headway over 2f out, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
led 1st furlong, remained with new leader until ridden and weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden 3f out, no impression
slowly into stride, pulled hard, held up, never dangerous
led 7f out, ridden headed inside final furlong, no extra
Mark Johnston has his team in excellent order at present and the Middleham handler is taken to add to the tally with Masterpoint while Home Fleet, Xcess Baggage, Emran and Brave Call represent the main dangers. The selection showed respectable form as a juvenile having followed a Newmarket maiden success with a string of useful efforts in minor company. But the son of Mark Of Esteem arguably ran his best race last time when a close second over course and distance last weekend having attempted to make all and only just caught in the dying strides. He has been raised 2lb since but should prove hard to beat on a track that clearly suits ideally. Home Fleet is a beautifully-bred colt who made a winning reappearance in a Thirsk maiden earlier in the month but will need to show further improvement to follow up in this tougher grade on his handicap debut. Xcess Baggage and Brave Call showed progressive form last term but both lack a recent outing while Emran appears to have plenty of weight on recent evidence.
