held up in touch, keen early, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, headway over 1f out, never able to challenge
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place
always prominent, every chance over 1f out, stayed on under pressure to lead close home, battled well
led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
Nonrunner
A hard race to assess without a visit to the paddock to assess the relative fitness of each runner and in the absence of that, we are with Soapy Danger but he faces strong opposition from the likes of Distinction and Tungsten Strike. Soapy Danger won well on seasonal reappearance and its likely that Mark Johnston has big plans ahead. A winner of the Queens Vase last June, he can continue his progression up the staying ranks here. Distinction probably didn't go on as he once promised. He acts on this surface although there is a hint that he might need a little bit more cut in order to show his better form these days. Tungsten Strike was well beaten in the Melbourne Cup. He won a below par renewal of this race last year but can account for Baddam again. Frank Sonata seems better with more cut in the ground as does the Alan King trained, Shipmaster. Peppertree Lane steps very much into unchartered territory as far as the trip is concerned. Soapy Danger could still be on the upgrade and with race fitness assured, we'll offer him the nod.
Peppertree Lane (IRE) (9-6) Led 6f, 2nd when brought wide to race alone against stands rails entering straight, soon outpaced, 5th of 8, 13l behind El Tango (9-6) at Dortmund 1m 6f Grp 1 (1) hvy in Sept.
Baddam 100-1 (9-10) Held up and behind, no chance when eased over 2f out, 30th of 33, well behind Leg Spinner (8-11) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcap (2) gs in Oct.
Distinction (IRE) 11-4 (9-0) In touch, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, no extra inside final furlong, 4th of 8, 4 1/2l behind Royal And Regal (8-4) at Newmarket 2m Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Frank Sonata 11-4 (9-0) Led, headed over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out, 4th of 7, 5l behind Gull Wing (8-6) at Nottingham 1m 6f lst stk (1) sft.
Shipmaster 9-1 (9-0) Chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, rallied and regained lead over 1f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, shd behind Gull Wing (8-6) at Nottingham 1m 6f lst stk (1) sft.
Soapy Danger 15-8fav (9-0) Tracked leader, led over 3f out, driven over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Doncaster 1m 4f stk (2) sft in Mar beating Furmigadelagiusta (8-12) by 2l, 6 ran.
Tungsten Strike (USA) 50-1 (8-7) Set steady early pace, led to well over 3f out, weakened quickly, last of 21, 22l behind Efficient (8-8) at Flemington 2m Grp 1 hcp (1) gd in Nov.
