in touch, ridden over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
tracked leaders, lost place on inside over 3f out, kept on inside final furlong, no danger to leaders
mid-division, headway 6f out, weakening on outside when pushed wide over 2f out
led, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish
prominent, weakened 2f out
dwelt, held up, headway when not much room over 2f out, every chance well inside final furlong, not quicken near finish
half reared start, slowly into stride, held up in rear, effort on outside when pushed wide over 2f out, soon weakened
prominent, raced keenly, pushed along over 2f out, not clear run entering final furlong, soon switched right, ran on towards finish
mid-division, headway when switched right over 2f out, hung left final furlong, stayed on
keen early, with leader, ridden 1f out, led inside final furlong, ran on
halfway at start, started slowly, towards rear, pushed wide over 2f out, never dangerous, hung left inside final furlong
held up towards rear, headway 2f out, no impression, weakened 1f out
It might not be the best quality of races but it's certainly competitive and with STOIC LEADER looking well treated on the pick of his turf form he gets the call ahead of Mountain Pass and Barodine. A runner-up in a similar race last time off a mark two pound lower the selection was also victorious off a rating 10lbs higher last summer. He does tend to go well at this time of year and he's worth another go over this trip. Mountain Pass will receive six pounds from the pick and also looks nicely treated after narrowly missing out off this mark last time. He is a former course and distance winner and looks set to go well again with him eight pounds better off than his last win. Barodine comes into this now just one pound above the burden he carried to success two starts ago and has chances based on his consistent form while Rossini's Dancer was really consistent before his break and looks weighted to be involved. A tight opener in store where we give preference for Stoic Leader.
Stoic Leader (IRE) 6-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, edged left, headed well inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Waldorf (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f app hcp (0-58) (6) pol in Feb.
Wester Lodge (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, driven and stayed on same pace final furlong, 6th of 15, 5l behind Director's Chair (10-8) at Doncaster 1m 2f am hcp (0-70) (4yo+) (5) gd in Mar.
Coeur Courageux (FR) 33-1 (8-13) Slowly into stride, in rear, never near leaders, 9th of 14, 4l behind Suhayl Star (8-4) at Lingfield 7f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Time To Regret 28-1 (9-4) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 9l behind Alf Tupper (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Jan.
Twist Bookie (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, soon behind, 10th of 12, 22l behind Dragon Slayer (11-5) at Sandown 1m 2f Am hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Moayed 12-1 (8-11) Slowly into stride, always in rear, 10th of 12, 8l behind Kilburn (9-4) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Giddywell 4-1 (8-4) Took keen hold, mid-division, dropped out final 3f, last of 9, 26l behind Ridgeway Jazz (8-2) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Mar.
Kirstys Lad 28-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 2f out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, 20l behind March Mate (10-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f Am hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Barodine 9-1 (8-3) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden and kept on inside final furlong, 6th of 13, 8l behind Agilete (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Rossini's Dancer 8-1 (8-7) Steadied start, held up in rear, never on terms, 6th of 13, 7l behind Moves Goodenough (9-6) at Nottingham 1m app hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Mountain Pass (USA) 8-1 (8-12) Held up towards rear, headway 2f out, ran on to take 2nd well inside final furlong, 2nd of 12, nk behind Jord (9-4) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Sedge (USA) 12-1 (10-10) Slowly into stride in rear, headway from 2f out, ridden and kept on, never nearer, 6th of 13, 6l behind Salerosa (11-2) at Southwell 1m am hcp (6) fbs in Nov.
Rudry World (IRE) 10-1 (9-2) Towards rear, ridden on inside 2f out, not clear run throughout final furlong, 9th of 11, 9l behind Zalkani (9-3) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Sep.
