in touch, headway when not clear run over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, ran on inside final furlong, just failed
stumbled start, chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened final furlong
with leader, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, just held on
led, headed over 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, soon weakened
Stagbury Hill takes a drop in class having contested the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last time and has to be respected but preference is for Skidrow, who gets the verdict over Mastman. The selection stepped up on his debut effort when running out a convincing winner of a seven-furlong maiden at Newcastle last month, giving the impression that there would be more to come especially over further. Mastman has yet to win a race but has run well in all three starts so far and receives weight from the selection. A bigger threat is likely to come from Stagbury Hill but he looks less progressive than Skidrow. Andrew Balding's L'Escapade showed promise on his Newmarket debut and has to be respected along with Karl Burke's Thirsk winner Thunderwing but Skidrow has an obvious chance and gets the vote.
