tracked leaders, driven over 2f out, edged left and not quicken over 1f out, switched right and rallied entering final furlong, hanging left and ducking in behind rival but soon straightened up and ran on well, just held
held up, headway on outside over 2f out, challenged over 1f out, edged left entering final furlong, ran on well, led close home
led, headed well over 1f out, still close up inside final furlong, 4th and no extra close home
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, led well over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on, headed close home
held up, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten
held up in rear, took keen hold, outpaced over 2f out, well held after
This is a very competitive handicap but Mark Johnston attacks it mob-handed, though jockey bookings give few clues as to which of his trio will be most forward. A market check is advised but we’ll take a chance on Franny Norton’s mount SOFIA’S ROCK, who made all for a facile success over 1m1f at Redcar on his final start last year and clearly isn’t short of stamina. Permian is giving at least a stone to his rivals and that looks a tall order on his reappearance but Mister Manduro has scope and so does Richard Hannon’s Hushood. Doctor Bartolo, Poetic Force, Atkinson Grimshaw and Emenem have all won on the all-weather this year so can’t be ignored.
Permian (IRE) 20-1 (9-2) Prominent, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, 3rd and held towards finish, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Coronet (8-11) at Newmarket 1m 2f lst stks (1) gd in Oct.
Hushood (IRE) 9-2 (9-8) Tracked leaders, soon tracked winner, ridden over 1f out, kept on and no extra towards finish, 4th of 7, 1 3/4l behind Souter (9-2) at Ayr 1m stks (4) sft in Sep.
Sofia's Rock (FR) 7-2 (9-5) Made all, hard driven over 2f out, drew clear over 1f out, very easily, won at Redcar 1m 1f mdn stks (5) sft in Oct beating Alqamar (9-5) by 7l, 8 ran.
Mister Manduro (FR) 10-11fav (9-3) Tracked leader, led over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, kept on wel, won at Chelmsford City 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Oct beating Makkadangdang (9-3) by 4l, 6 ran.
Poetic Force (IRE) 6-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, effort over 1f out, hung left and 2nd briefly inside final furlong, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Mailshot (9-6) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (3) pol in Mar.
Doctor Bartolo (IRE) 9-4jfav (8-7) Towards rear, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, ran on well, won at Newcastle 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol in Jan beating Bowban (8-7) by 3 1/4l, 10 ran.
Emenem 7-2 (9-6) Tracked leaders, good headway on inside over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, driven ahead final 100 yards, won at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Ocean Drive (9-7) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Atkinson Grimshaw (FR) 5-4fav (9-5) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led well over 1f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Wolverhampton 1m 1f mdn stks (5) pol in Feb beating Blushing Red (9-5) by 3/4l, 6 ran.