pulled hard, held up in last pair, headway to chase leaders 6f out, went 2nd 5f out, ridden and lost 2nd over 1f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on outside over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, led inside final furlong, stayed on well, won going away
chased leader 3f, handy 3rd, pushed along over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, one pace and well held when stumbled approaching final furlong
led, ridden over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong
took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd 7f out until 5f out, stayed chasing leaders, kept on same pace final 2f
in touch, pushed along in 5th over 3f out, plugged on in final furlong
chased leaders until lost place over 6f out, never on terms after, pushed along and struggling 3f out, tailed off
Emulating and He's A Striker continue to make heavy weather of losing their maiden tags and the less exposed pair Portmonarch and Punditry are preferred. The latter in particular looks to have every chance here after his best effort so far when third at Yarmouth a fortnight ago. However, a couple of newcomers take the eye including Refer. He's related to a Group 2 winner in France but it could pay to take a chance on STRENGTH AND HONOR. Sir Michael Stoute's colt is a half-brother to no less than nine winners including the top-class multiple Group 1 winner High Chaparral and may well be good enough on his racecourse debut.
He's A Striker (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Pulled hard led, ridden over 2f out, edged left and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Burgoyne (8-11) at Southwell 1m mdn auc stks (6) fbs in Mar.
Nearly Caught (IRE) New Approach colt out of Katch Me Katie.
Portmonarch (IRE) 7-1 (9-3) Held up in touch, effort over 2f out, soon outpaced, ran on closing stages, never troubled leaders, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Secret Number (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Punditry 7-2 (8-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Gabrial The Master (8-9) at Yarmouth 1m 2f mdn auc stks (6) gd.
Refer Rail Link colt out of Trellis Bay.
Star Of Namibia (IRE) 33-1 (9-5) Towards rear, pushed along 5f out, headway 4f out, ridden 2f out, plugged on inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 10l behind Stepping Ahead (9-5) at Nottingham 1m 3yo mdn (5) gd.
Strength And Honor (IRE) Galileo colt out of Kasora.
Xclusive Pivotal gelding out of Dance A Daydream.
Bridge Builder Avonbridge colt out of Amazing Dream.
Emulating (IRE) 8-1 (8-8) Close up, ridden over 2f out, kept on to go 3rd inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Swing Easy (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Mar.
