tracked leader, effort over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders, ridden halfway, weakened final 2f
soon led, quickened well over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
tracked leader, ridden to challenge from 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, kept on same pace towards finish
held up in touch, raced keenly early, headway well over 1f out, led inside final furlong, driven out
Disappointingly just the six runners line up for this nursery and having gone down narrowly in a similar contest over course and distance last month, Mark Johnston's Silent Master looks to have found a suitable opportunity to go one better and he gets the vote to do just that with the main threats rated as Afram Blue and Ten Pole Tudor. The last mentioned comes into this in fine form having won his last two starts but a 4lb rise for the latest of those successes leaves him with more to do today. A similar rise for Smokey Rye looks harsh following his narrow success at Kempton last time, while Showtime Ice appears to have plenty of weight for what he has achieved. Afram Blue looks to be going the right way and has to be respected, while Fathsta is held by Silent Master on running last time and the last mentioned is taken to gain a deserved first success.
Ten Pole Tudor 5-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride, headway over 5f out, hard ridden to lead well inside final furlong, won at W'hampton 7f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov beating The Last Bottle (8-2) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Showtime Ice 4-6fav (8-12) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, last of 6, 6l behind Tyfos (9-3) at W'hampton 6f 2yo mdn auc (5) pol in Nov.
Silent Master (USA) 11-4fav (9-3) Soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 2nd of 9, nk behind Traphalgar (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Smokey Rye 11-4fav (9-0) Took keen hold, held up in mid-division, headway over 1f out, stayed on well to lead towards finish, won at Kempton 6f 2yo mdn auc (6) pol in Nov beating My Pin Up (9-0) by a nk, 11 ran.
Fathsta (IRE) 15-2 (8-13) Pulled hard, raced wide, held up towards rear, ridden 2f out, kept on, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 3 1/2l behind Traphalgar (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
Afram Blue 9-4fav (9-7) Held up in rear, in touch, no impression 2f out, 3rd of 5, nk behind Hucking Hero (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 2yo hcp 0-95 (4) pol.