soon led, ridden, headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
towards rear, effort over 2f out, no impression
mid-division, effort, headway over 1f out, staying on, edging left
in touch, ridden, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, chased winner well inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, ran on
led early, tracked leaders, weakened inside final furlong
towards rear, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
keen, never dangerous
held up, switched left approaching final furlong, some progress
MICK'S DANCER has been off the track since November, but can land this opener, with the main dangers expected to be Pelham Crescent and Street Devil. Willie Muir's gelding had a fine autumn on the all-weather, with three runners up places and a win. The concern might be that he needs the run, but he's got the advantage here of a low draw. Pelham Crescent's been racing more recently, and had a couple of seconds. David Probert can claim a handy three pounds, so keeping him well in with the joint top weights. One of those is Street Devil, but that was the case when winning last time out over a mile. The step up in trip shouldn't be a problem, judging by how he finished that race. That was at Southwell, and some of his previous best efforts had come with a little cut in the ground, so the good going here may not totally suit. It may not take a great deal of winning, but we'll side with Mick's Dancer.
Street Devil (USA) 12-1 (9-12) Led, headed over 6f out, chased leader after, clear with leader 3f out, led again well over 2f out, clear entering final furlong, eased towards finish, won at Southwell 1m mdn stks (5) fbs in Mar beating Fortunate Flame (8-9) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Direct Debit (IRE) 12-1 (9-3) With leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 11th of 13, 16l behind Can Can Star (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcap (5) pol in Feb.
Bramalea 33-1 (8-9) Took keen hold towards rear, headway 2f out and wide straight, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Becuille (8-6) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Classical Rhythm (IRE) 5-1 (8-2) Held up, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 8th of 10, 17l behind Karmest (9-5) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (6) fbs in Dec.
Mick's Dancer 4-1 (8-11) Tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Rio Guru (9-3) at Great Leighs 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Pelham Crescent (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) Held up in mid-division, headway over 2f out, went 2nd inside 2nd furlong no impression on winner, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Agilete (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Mar.
Master Mahogany 16-1 (9-0) Led 1f, prominent, weakened over 2f out, eased inside final furlong, 11th of 13, 14l behind Templetuohy Max (9-1) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcap (6) pol in Jan.
Cape of Luck (IRE) 9-1 (9-1) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 13, 8l behind Carlton Scroop (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Mar.
Rabeera 13-2 (8-8) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out, last of 10, 14l behind Star Grazer (8-4) at Yarmouth 1m 3f hcap (6) gf in Jul.
Le Corvee (IRE) 50-1 (8-10) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 4f out, never dangerous, 8th of 14, 11l behind All In The Red (9-1) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
