made all, ridden 2f out, drew clear inside final furlong
held up and keen, ridden over 2f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f
held up, headway 4f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, no impression
towards rear, ridden over 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, kept on final furlong
tracked winner and keen, ridden over 2f out, soon every chance, weakened inside final furlong
Secret History could hardly have been more impressive than when winning under testing conditions at Ripon last week and is taken to defy the 6lb penalty at the main expense of Stay Close and Sir Nod. The last mentioned is less exposed than most of these after just two starts but has yet to race on turf and is probably best watched at present. Breaking Shadow was well beaten on his reappearance at Doncaster but should strip fitter for the run, while Bolton Hall hails from a stable in form. Andrew Balding's Stay Close has done little wrong on the Polytack during the winter and has been freshened up since his latest success in a handicap at Lingfield but is another that lacks experience of racing on turf and a safer bet looks to be Secret History. Mark Johnston's filly is due to go up 15lbs in future handicaps following her Ripon win so a 6lb penalty should not be enough to stop the daughter of Bahri, who should have little difficulty with the conditions.
Secret History (USA) 7-1 Slowly into stride, soon in touch, tracked leader over 5f out, led over 2f out, soon clear, driven out, unchallenged, won at Ripon 1m 3yo hcp hvy beating Hansomelle by 14l, 9 ran.
Breaking Shadow (IRE) 12-1 Chased leaders stands' side, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 19th of 21, 37l behind Cool Panic at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp gd.
McEldowney 25-1 In touch far side, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 10th of 21, 12l behind Cool Panic at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp gd.
Stay Close 9-2 Soon pushed along towards rear, headway on outer over 1f out, quicken to lead inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Lingfield 7f 3yo hcp (E3) pol in Feb beating Savoy Chapel by 3l, 13 ran.
Coleorton Dane 25-1 Chased leaders stands' side, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 15th of 21, 16l behind Cool Panic at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp gd.
Bolton Hall (IRE) 20-1 Mid-division far side, pushed along over 2f out, one pace until weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 21, 12l behind Cool Panic at Doncaster 7f 3yo hcp gd.
Sir Nod 3-1 Mid-division, not clear run over 2f out, switched right and headway 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, readily, won at W'hampton 7f 2yo mdn (D3) pol in Dec beating Castanza by 2l, 12 ran.
