tracked leaders, challenged over 5f out, led over 2f out, soon headed, no extra towards finish
led, headed over 5f out, soon lost place, well behind over 2f out
held up in 6th, ridden and headway over 1f out, no impression on winner final furlong, pressed for 2nd towards finish
held up in 5th, headway over 5f out, led 2f out, clear 1f out, easily
tracked leaders, not clear run over 2f out, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
slow to break, held up in rear, headway 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with winner, lost 2 places towards finish
STONECUTTER (NAP) has changed hands since winning on his handicap debut for Marco Botti over course and distance last month. He can continue his progress and defy a 6lb rise. Vosne Romanee beat little to land the odds at Wolverhampton last week and carries a penalty while Royal Marskell has done all his winning on the Fibresand at Southwell so far and has the beating of both The Lock Master and Deuce Again on recent form. Nebula Storm has won over hurdles since picking-up a seller on the Flat in August and may prove best of the rest.
The Lock Master (IRE) 6-1 (9-5) In rear and soon pushed along, headway over 5f out, outpaced over 3f out, no impression after, 4th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Luv U Whatever (10-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Nebula Storm (IRE) 5-1 (9-3) Tracked leaders, headway to lead over 1f out, ridden clear inside final furlong, won at Windsor 1m 4f sell stks (6) gs in Aug beating Gift Of Silence (9-5) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Royal Marskell 15-2 (9-7) Slowly away, headway 9f out, went 2nd over 4f out, driven 2f out, lost 2nd and stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Luv U Whatever (10-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Deuce Again 5-4fav (8-6) Restless in stalls, held up in rear, pushed along and outpaced 5f out, soon struggling, never a factor, 6th of 8, 16l behind Luv U Whatever (8-9) at Southwell 1m 4f hcap (2) fbs in Jan.
Stonecutter (IRE) 8-11fav (9-2) With leader, ridden to lead over 2f out, staye don strongly final furlong, won at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan beating Willie Wag Tail (9-12) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Wordiness 16-1 (8-13) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge well over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Karam Albaari (9-1) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Vosne Romanee 8-11fav (9-7) Held up in rear, steady headway over 3f out, went 2nd well over 2f out, led on bit over 1f out, hard held, won at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) beating Medieval Bishop (8-4) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.