with leader, led after 1f, headed over 3f out, ridden 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on
in touch, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, kept on inside final furlong
led for 1f, led again over 3f out, ridden over 1f out, headed and not quicken inside final furlong
always towards rear
chased leaders, ridden when not much room over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
The well-drawn Rowan Lodge is only 2lbs higher than when scoring at Catterick last month but that was on a soft surface and the Mark Tompkins-trained colt may not be at home under today's conditions so the vote goes to Dahteer, who is preferred to Comic Strip. The last mentioned represents the stable of Sir Mark Prescott and has to be respected after just two starts but has been done few favours with a draw in stall seven. Transvestite has had the three runs necessary for a handicap mark and the John Hills-trained colt may do better now that he tackles nurseries, while Bolton Hall has had the benefit of two starts in this grade and has been given a chance by the handicapper. Langston Boy receives weight from all of his rivals and hails from a stable that does well with its runners in this grade and makes more appeal than Gortumblo, who has failed to progress since making a winning debut. The vote though goes to Dahteer who has a good draw, should have no problem with the ground, has already shown his effectiveness around here and comes from a stable that is beginning to come into form.
