held up behind, ridden over 2f out and hanging right, no progress over 1f, soon one pace
started slowly, in rear, checked after 2f, never near leaders
prominent, every chance over 1f out, stayed on same pace
towards rear, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, not quicken and weakened inside final furlong
in touch until weakened quickly over 1f out
behind, chased leaders halfway, soon ridden and weakened over 1f out
in rear, struggling 3f out, never a factor
tracked winner, hung left over 2f out, went badly left to stands side rail well over 1f out, still chance 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
took keen hold in touch, hung left and lost place after 2f, and dropped towards rear, kept on well from over 1f out, never nearer
made all, soon led, hard pressed over 1f out, ran on gamely final furlong, held on
in touch, every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, faded
held up, headway over 1f out, ridden to challenge inside final furlong, gaining towards finish
Stonacre Boy is marginally preferred to Prince Tamino and Total Impact. Peter Grayson has been one of the rising stars of the all-weather and he can have few worries about the draw. A progressive type, Stoneacre Boy has won his last two races and should not be discounted against better rivals here. Prince Tamino is closely related to a number of top sprinters. She needs to get away quickly from a modest draw. Total Impact was backed off the boards ahead of a Wolverhampton maiden and as she is going the right way, the market is watched. Backers should take care as Stoneacre Lad is also scheduled to run. A prolific winner, he struggled off this mark and is opposed. Grantley Adams and Clare Hills both look to have plenty of weight for their consistency during the course of last season. Stoneacre Boy is in form and well-drawn and we are happy to side with the Merseyside raider.
Clare Hills (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 12, 9l behind Violette (8-8) at Ayr 6f 2yo fll Grp 3 (1) gd in Sept.
Grantley Adams 11-4fav (8-12) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, headed close home, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Advanced (9-1) at Salisbury 6f 2yo stk (2) gd in Sept.
Come Out Fighting 14-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden over 2f out, no impression on leaders final furlong, 6th of 9, 11l behind Manston (8-9) at Doncaster 6f 2yo lst stk (1) hvy in Oct.
Brandywell Boy (IRE) 6-1 (9-7) Keen, held up, headway and edged left approaching final furlong, ran on strongly inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 12, hd behind Secret Night (9-2) at Lingfield 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Supercast (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Chased leaders on outer, driven along halfway, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 9l behind Hunter Street (8-12) at Salisbury 5f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Azygous 13-2 (9-7) Tracked leader, joined leader and every chance from over 2f out, ridden and no extra inside final furlong, 8th of 12, 3l behind Secret Night (9-2) at Lingfield 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Waterline Twenty (IRE) 50-1 (8-9) Soon well behind, 11th of 12, 10l behind Hunter Street (8-12) at Salisbury 5f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Stoneacre Lad (IRE) 5-2fav (9-4) Led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Sands Crooner (8-6) at Lingfield 5f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Phantom Whisper 12-1 (9-3) Led, ridden, headed and no extra inside final furlong, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Blushing Thief (8-10) at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Total Impact 4-5fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, led approaching final furlong, soon pushed clear, won at W'hampton 6f 3yo mdn (5) pol in Mar beating Kellys Dream (8-12) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Stoneacre Boy (IRE) 9-4fav (9-10) Chased leader, ridden and led 1f out, ran on, won at Lingfield 6f 3yo hcp (5) pol in Mar beating Lucayos (8-7) by 1l, 12 ran.
Prince Tamino 10-3 (9-5) Soon led, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong until headed and outpaced close home, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Scarlet Knight (9-5) at Lingfield 6f nov stk (4) pol in Oct.
