tracked leaders, riddedn 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
held up in touch in rear, ridden and headway on inside approaching final furlong, no impression towards finish
close up, headway to chase winner approaching final furlong, no impression towards finish
tracked leader, led and ran green over 1f out, ridden and ran on
Winning debutante Azma was a losing favourite here last month but it's too soon to write her off as she steps up in distance. Silver Dixie also tries a longer trip after finishing runner-up to a Mark Johnston-trained inmate last time. The latter is represented by the returning Raven's Tower today and makes more appeal than recent course winner Shaolin but the vote goes to PENCOMBE. A close-up fifth behind Dali's Lover over course and distance earlier this month, a couple of winners have already come out of the race and David Simcock's Teofilo colt can open his account in this.
Azma (USA) 6-4fav (8-10) Led after 1f, driven and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression when lost 3rd inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 4 1/2l behind Club House (8-0) at Lingfield 1m hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Jan.
Raven's Tower (USA) 11-4 (9-3) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd over 1f out, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Lord Provost (9-3) at Kempton 1m 2f 2yo mdn stks (5) pol in Sep.
Shaolin (IRE) 7-4fav (8-9) Keen led 1f, tracked leaders, headway on inside to lead over 1f out, ridden and stayed on towards finish, won at Lingfield 1m mdn auc stks (6) pol beating King Bertie (8-9) by hd, 7 ran.
Pencombe (FR) 5-1 (8-5) Held up in last pair, headway on inside over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, neearest finish, 5th of 6, 1 1/2l behind Dali's Lover (8-0) at Lingfield 1m 2f mdn stks (5) pol.
Silver Dixie (USA) 7-2 (8-7) Chased leaders on outside, pushed along halfway, ridden and outpaced 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Tribal Path (8-7) at Lingfield 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Jan.