led, pushed along over 2f out, soon strongly challenged, headed approaching final furlong, no extra
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 2f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, driven out
held up in touch, driven to challenge over 2f out, led just over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on
tracked leaders, not much room and switched right over 1f out, never able to challenge
held up, never dangerous
tracked leader, hard driven and effort over 1f out, soon weakened
Taking a massive step down in grade Richard Hannon's Stags Leap is bound to be in warm order in an intriguing handicap but with a few doubts about him we'll instead turn to the on-form EXCEEDTHEWILDMAN while Epic shouldn't be ignored. Stags Leap was racing in Group Three company the last time we saw him having previously won a decent maiden and a conditions race. All the signs point to perhaps this one being a bit too classy for this field but with this being his first go in a handicap and on the polytrack we'll just overlook this time in preference for Exceedthewildman. Stan Moore's colt has been in a spot of form recently having won twice and finished second twice on his last four runs. He's up a couple of pound in the handicap for his narrow defeat to an in-form animal last time and he looks the safest option under his current weight and on this surface. Epic is from a yard going great guns and should go well despite having form to overturn on the pick wild Clive Brittain can't stop sending out winners so his Bint Doyen is respected having previously contested at Group Two level. This is a fascinating contest where Exceedthewildman is just the preferred option.
Stags Leap (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Led 1f, tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 8, 10l behind Morana (9-0) at Ascot 1m 2yo Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.
Exceedthewildman 7-1 (9-0) Held up tracking leading pair, effort 2f out, chased winner inside final furlong, stayed on, always just held, 2nd of 4, nk behind Rock A Doodle Doo (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Feb.
Bint Doyen 33-1 (8-12) Raced wide in touch, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 27l behind Music Show (8-12) at Newmarket 7f 2yo stks (1) gd in Oct.
Epic (IRE) 11-1 (9-0) Tracked leader, every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Exceedthewildman (8-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Yorksters Prince (IRE) 14-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, effort to lead briefly 2f out, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Azlak (9-3) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-60 (6) pol.
Mnarani (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Close up, went 2nd 3f out, led 2f out, ridden and headed inside final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Usquaebach (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
