took keen hold early, held up, ridden 4f out, soon weakened
raced keenly, led until headed 4f out, soon weakened
in touch, headway 7f out, hard ridden 4f out, soon beaten
smooth headway on outer over 4f out, led over 2f out, ridden and held on well final furlong
tracked leader, led over 4f out, headed over 2f out, soon no chance with leading pair, weakened over 1f out
soon in touch, headway 7f out, hard ridden over 5f out, weakened over 3f out
dwelt, took keen hold and settled in rear, headway 5f out, ridden to chase winner just over 2f out, kept on well final furlong, always just held
tracked leaders until lost place 6f out, soon well behind
George Stubbs has shown improved form for being stepped up in trip recently but has yet to prove his effectiveness over this far and preference is for Red Scorpion, who gets the nod over Western. The last mentioned, like George Stubbs, has yet to prove that he stays as far as this but John Akehurst's gelding stayed on well when scoring here over 1m5f last month and he has to be respected. There are no stamina doubts concerning Red Scorpion though. Mark Brisbourne's gelding has a string of respectable efforts over staying trips to his name, has slipped to a fair mark and has the assistance of a promising apprentice. He makes more appeal than the six-year-old Lady Laureate, who makes her first appearance on an artificial surface in nearly three years. The Brooke Sanders-trained Cantrip warrants respect on her best form, especially with Lisa Jones in the plate but we are happy to side with the proven stamina of Red Scorpion.
