steadied start, settled in rear, headway and going well 2f out, every chance entering final furlong, no extra final 100 yards
led 1f, led again 3f out, stayed on strongly when pressed entering final furlong, driven out
prominent, effort when not much room and hampered on rail 3f out, soon ridden and outpaced over 1f out
slowly into stride, led after 1 furlong, ridden and headed 3f out, soon outpaced and weakened over 1f out
tracked leaders, effort on outer 3f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, no impression
Slate gets the vote here ahead of Proper and Tenement. Jamie Osborne's colt won well on his debut however he was then disappointing on his handicap debut at Ascot. He may not have handled the softer conditions that day and now back on a quicker surface, he is of definite interest. Judging by his debut he goes well fresh and he can continue his trainer's good recent form. Proper is the most experienced of these having been kept busy on the all-weather this winter however he tends to find at least one too good and doesn't look the hardest of front-runners to pass. Inquisitress, Alloro and Storm Mission have all had plenty of chances so it wouldn't say much for the form if they were to win, so of more interest may be Tenement. Despite being in a claimer, his latest effort was much more encouraging and he mustn't be underestimated, however Slate has more improvement to come and gets the vote.
Slate (IRE) 14-1 (8-6) Took keen hold in mid-division, ridden when not much room briefly 2f out, beaten after, 13th of 14, 16l behind Just Dust (8-8) at Ascot 7f 2yo hcp (3) gs in Sept.
Proper (IRE) 13-2 (8-8) Led until ridden, headed well over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to regain 2nd near finish, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Arch of Titus (9-3) at W'hampton 7f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Inquisitress 25-1 (8-4) Raced wide in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out, 8th of 9, 8l behind Crystal Gazer (9-2) at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol.
Alloro 33-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride and always behind, 9th of 13, 9l behind My Secrets (9-7) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Tenement (IRE) 3-1 (9-5) Held up in rear, head way 2f out, effort to join winner, entered final furlong, not quickened near finish, 2nd of 7, nk behind Jemima Godfrey (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 3yo clm (6) pol in Feb.
Storm Mission (USA) 12-1 (8-9) Behind, soon pushed along, ridden and headway over 1f out, never nearer, 5th of 13, 6l behind Krakatau (9-2) at Southwell 1m 3yo hcp (6) fbs.
