behind, ridden over 2f out, stayed on under pressure from over 1f out, wandered left, nearest finish
prominent, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out
took keen hold behind, ridden 2f out, no headway
tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, every chance when wandered left, one pace final furlong
steadied start, settled towards rear, no progress from 2f out, never dangerous
raced wide in touch, ridden and weakened rapidly well over 1f out
towards rear, ridden along over 3f out, good progress over 1f out, strong run to lead well inside final furlong, all out
soon led, hung right under pressure over 1f out, no extra when headed well inside final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leaders, effort and every chance over 1f out, one pace final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leaders, effort 2f out, no extra 1f out
slowly into stride, always in rear, struggling final 3f, never a factor
slowly into stride, took keen hold behind, ridden 3f out, some headway over 2f out, no impression over 1f out
mid-division, ridden 3f out, weakened from 2f out
Withdrawn
This could be one of those coincidence forecasts with Lovelace and Lacework both holding strong claims, we will give the vote to the first named, with Sam Lord the pick of the remainder. Mark Johnston's colt hasn't raced since making a winning debut at Thirsk last April. He beat the now 89 rated Spoof Master in great style which puts him on a very good mark here today. The fact he hasn't been out since is a concern, but if he is fit he should prove hard to beat. Sir Michael Stoute has made a great start to the new campaign and Lacework does look to have got in here on a fair mark. She beat a decent enough field at Wolverhampton last year and should figure in the finish today. Sam Lord's Newmarket form was given a recent boost with the well held Fort Amhurst winning here last week and so he has to rate a big danger this afternoon. The pick of the others could be My Learned Friend but we think Lovelace can return from a long lay off to keep his unbeaten record.
Count Ceprano (IRE) 5-1co-fav (8-4) Held up, headway 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 13, hd behind Market Day (9-5) at Lingfield 7f 2yo hcp (2) pol in Oct.
Sam Lord 12-1 (9-3) Led until over 2f out, edged right and led again inside final furlong, ran on, won at Newmarket 1m 2yo mdn (4) gs in Oct beating Diamond Tycoon (9-3) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
Lovelace 11-2 (8-12) Tracked leader, driven over 1f out, led approaching final furlong, hung left but kept on, won at Thirsk 5f nov stk (3) gs in Apr '06 beating Spoof Master (9-2) by 1l, 7 ran.
Alfresco 2-1fav (9-4) Steadied start, keen held up in rear, headway on inside from over 1f out, shaken up to lead inside final furlong, readily, won at Lingfield 1m 3yo hcp (5) pol beating Ballyshane Spirit (7-13) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Hunting Tower 7-4fav (9-3) Held up, headway 3f out, led 2f out, ridden clear final furlong, stayed on, won at Brighton 1m 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct beating Jawaab (9-3) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Gazboolou 5-2 (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden to lead well over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, won at Musselburgh 7f mdn stk (5) gf beating Leon Knights (8-12) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Lacework 1-3fav (9-0) Always prominent, not clear run over 2f out, driven to lead over 1f out, hung right, ran on, won at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn fll (5) pol in Dec beating Fidelia (9-0) by a nk, 9 ran.
Perfect Star 7-2 (8-12) Made all, challenged from 3f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Newmarket 7f 2yo mdn auc (4) gs in Oct beating Palamoun (9-3) by 1l, 15 ran.
