held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on
took keen hold in rear, no impression when hung left over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up, headway 2f out, edged left inside final furlong, kept on
led early, prominent, ridden over 2f out, edged left over 1f out, one pace
chased leaders until weakened over 1f out
always prominent, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead near finish
soon led, ridden over 1f out, headed near finish
chased leaders on outside, weakened well over 1f out, flashed tail inside final furlong
Four for the shortlist here are Charming Ballet, Scooby Dude, Stoneacre Lad and Egyptian Lord, and we take Stoneacre Lad to score. The selection had Scooby Dude well beaten at Southwell last time and is only 1lb worse off here. He has risen a stone since winning easily over course and distance last month, but he may not have stopped improving just yet and can take this. Scoody Dude is probably better suited by this surface than that at Southwell and can show more now he is back on it, having enjoyed his sole win on good to firm on turf. He is still high in the weights though. Charming Ballet beat Canina over course and distance last time but a 7lb rise may well stop him here, and Egyptian Lord's Southwell success did not suggest that a 5lb rise and a quicker surface would make him an attractive proposition here. But Stoneacre Lad looks most likely to continue improving and can score.
Scooby Dude (IRE) 3-1fav (9-7) Close up, ridden and every chance 2f out, no extra final furlong, 6th of 11, 3l behind Stoneacre Lad (9-2) at Southwell 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) fbs.
Charming Ballet (IRE) 7-2 (9-0) Made all, ridden over 1f out, all out, won at W'hampton 5f 2yo mdn (5) pol in Nov beating Canina (8-9) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Sands Crooner (IRE) 6-4fav (8-11) Soon pushed along in rear, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Tombalina (8-3) at Southwell 5f 2yo mdn aut (7) fbs.
Thoughtsofstardom 7-1 (9-7) Led 1f, chased leaders, ridden when hung left over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 8th of 13, 3l behind Grenane (9-3) at W'hampton 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Trombone Tom 16-1 (8-10) Led for 2f, in touch until weakened final furlong, 5th of 12, 5l behind Jimmy The Guesser (9-3) at W'hampton 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Rapsgate (IRE) 11-1 (8-9) With leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 12th of 13, 9l behind Ocean of Dreams (9-7) at W'hampton 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Egyptian Lord 11-2 (8-6) Tracked leader, led 3f out, driven 2f out, kept on gainly final furlong, won at Southwell 5f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Garlogs (7-5) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Stoneacre Lad (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Chased leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Southwell 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) fbs beating Lucayos (8-6) by a nk, 11 ran.
