held up behind leaders, short of room over 2f out, switched left and headway over 1f out, quickened to lead inside final furlong, won going away
prominent, led over 5f out, headed over 2f out, weakened from over 1f out
tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, no extra well inside final furlong
led, headed over 5f out, led over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, no impression on winner inside final 100 yards, kept on
chased leaders, outpaced over 2f out, rallied final 100 yards, stayed on
slowly away, in rear, good headway on outside over 2f out, led just over 1f out, headed and not pace of winner inside final furlong, kept on
DARK TROOPER (NAP) came good at Southwell on his first start gelded. There looks more to come from him and fourth-placed Prince Nabeel has subsequently boosted the form by going close at Southwell. The more exposed Dyed In The Wool won over a shorter trip here and is preferred to Crocodile Roll but both Congresbury and No Barrier may prove bigger threats handicapping for the first time.
Dark Trooper (IRE) 9-4fav (9-11) Close up, ridden to lead when hung left approaching final furlong, soon hung right, ran on, won at Southwell 7f hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Serenity Rose (9-8) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Congresbury 7-2 (9-7) Chased leader, every chance 2f out, ridden and unable to quicken over 1f out, lost 2nd final 100 yards, dropped to 4th final strides, 4th of 8, 1 1/2l behind Maso Bastie (9-7) at Lingfield 1m stks (5) pol in Dec.
Dyed In The Wool (IRE) 9-2 (9-9) Close up, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, asserted towards finish, won at Newcastle 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan beating Vampire Slayer (9-9) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Prince Nabeel (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Very slowly away, in rear, ridden 3f out when behind, headway to go second final furlong, stayed on strongly final 110 yards, not reach winner, 2nd of 5, nk behind Glorious Angel (9-6) at Southwell 7f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
No Barrier 10-3 (9-7) Quickly away, led briefly, chased leaders on inside, pushed along over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Ottoman Prince (9-7) at Chelmsford City 7f mdn stks (5) pol in Oct.
Crocodile Roll 3-1 (9-9) Steadied start, in rear, not clear run over 2f out, wide headway and edged left over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind High Court Judge (9-6) at Chelmsford City 1m hcp (5) pol in Jan.