tracked leaders, progress over 2f out, soon driven, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on well
held up, pushed along halfway, soon beaten
prominent, led just over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
held up in touch, chased leaders over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, not reached winner
slowly into stride, behind, ridden halfway, some headway approaching 2f out, soon no impression
led, headed approaching 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, driven halfway, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace
With five last-time up winners in the line-up for this handicap, it holds plenty of interest; in it, our vote goes to Secret Liaison ahead of Secret Assassin and Takitwo. Secret Liaison comes here seeking a third-straight win and, even those she has been raised three pounds for the latest of them, which came at Brighton, his trainer is a master at eking out further improvement from his charges. Southport Star came good in a Warwick maiden last time and is on the up, although the runner-up, Grand Entrance, has let the form down in handicaps since. Trimlestown is closely weighted with Southport Star based on Grand Entrance form, while after a string of placed efforts, Secret Assassin won well at Catterick last time and is respected as connections my now have found the key to him. A four-pounds rise for a Leicester win thwarted Deira's progress last time, although in her defence that run came at the idiosyncratic Brighton, Waddon could certainly improve for the step up in trip today and Takitwo, who has won his last two races - each of them by narrow margins over course and distance - cannot be ruled out by any means from just a two-pounds higher mark than for the latest of those successes. He can go well, but the vote stays with Secret Liaison.
