held up, always in rear
soon ridden in mid-division, driven halfway, ran on inside final furlong
reared start, behind, kept on inside final furlong, never threatened leaders
made all, 3 lengths clear over 1f out, weakening towards finish, held on
held up, good headway on inside 2f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, looked held when nowhere to go near finish
held up in rear, ran on inside final furlong, nearest finish
chased winner for 2f, soon under pressure and behind
in rear, moderate headway final furlong
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened inside final furlong
always towards rear, no chance final 2f
took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden and no impression when hung right over 1f out, weakened final furlong
prominent, chased winner 3f out, 3 lengths down and driven over 1f out, closed as winner weakened towards finish, just held
STEP IT UP is a hopeful selection to follow-up his UK debut victory at Lingfield two weeks ago. Formerly trained by Michael Halford in Ireland, Step It Up has shown his best form on the polytrack at Dundalk prior to making his debut in this country and off just a 3lb higher mark to his 64 rating off which he scored from at Lingfield, he looks the one to beat. The fast pace which invariably materialises here over this trip will play to his hold-up style and don't expect to see delivered until inside the final furlong. Musical Script, a three time course winner over varying trips here quickened impressively last week to score very easily. Dropping back to five furlongs will not inconvenience Musical Script who looks a big danger. Desert Opal is an admirable veteran who despite his advancing years continues to hold his form very well. Off a 4lb higher mark here, he still is below the mark from which he was competing off this time 12 months ago and these elder sprinters, when in-form, can often rack up a sequence of victories. Woodcote has dropped to his last winning mark, that being achieved at this venue in August with today's rider aboard. He raced too keenly at Lingfield when last seen over six furlongs and ultimately failed to get home but taking a drop in class here, he is another to consider. Matterofact is the pace angle to the race but has never seemed as effective on polytrack as on turf. Thoughtsofstardom took full advantage of a falling handicap mark when scoring at Lingfield last time. This represents a minor step up in class for him but Step It Up is given the vote to land it.
Caribbean Coral 16-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon outpaced, weakened over 1f out, last of 10, 10l behind Equuleus Pictor (8-10) at Windsor 5f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Aug.
Hereford Boy 14-1 (9-0) Behind, ridden over 2f out, kept on from over 1f out, nearest finish, 6th of 12, 8l behind Dazzling Bay (8-9) at Kempton 6f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Nov.
Woodcote (IRE) 25-1 (8-9) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Internationaldebut (9-6) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Bookiesindex Boy 14-1 (9-4) Led narrowly until headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 8th of 12, 4l behind Chjimes (9-4) at Lingfield 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Musical Script (USA) 6-1 (8-11) Started slowly, held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, led well over 1f out, 3 lengths clear 1f out, ran on strongly, ridden out, won at Kempton 6f hcp 0-70 (5) pol beating Lekita (8-13) by 3l, 9 ran.
Step It Up (IRE) 5-1 (9-1) Towards rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on well to lead close home, won at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov beating Bluebok (8-9) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Desert Opal 4-1co-fav (9-2) Held up, headway to lead just inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Kempton 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov beating Bountiful Bay (8-7) by 1l, 10 ran.
Monsieur Reynard 22-1 (8-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and one pace final furlong, 6th of 9, 4l behind Canadian Danehill (9-4) at W'hampton 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol.
Bertie Southstreet 16-1 (8-5) Held up, effort over 1f out, never dangerous, 11th of 18, 6l behind Namir (9-6) at Newmarket 5f hcap (5) gf in Sept.
Matterofact (IRE) 13-2 (8-10) Led, ridden 2f out, headed over 1f out, no extra close home, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Step It Up (9-1) at Lingfield 5f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Nov.
Wreningham 7-2fav (9-1) Stumbled badly start, behind, ridden halfway, some headway over 1f out, weakened and eased final furlong, 9th of 12, 9l behind Fizzlephut (8-9) at Great Leighs 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Nov.
Thoughtsofstardom 7-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, effort to lead entering final furlong, kept on well, won at Lingfield 5f app hcp (6) pol beating Joss Stick (8-13) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
