held up in rear, headway over 3f out, ridden and hung left over 1f out, stayed on under pressure final furlong
held up, never troubled leaders
slowly into stride, keen, soon in touch, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, no extra final furlong
slowly into stride, in rear, ridden and looked reluctant final 2f
close up, ridden and lost place over 3f out
keen, held up, headway on inside from 3f out, led over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong
in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
slowly away, soon chased leader, led over 3f out, headed over 1f out, soon hung left, one pace
keen, soon led, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon weakened
Soul Blazer, Follow On and Sgt Schultz form the shortlist in a competitive finale and the vote is given to Soul Blazer. The selection has shown he has ability on each of his four starts to date but the key to his chance today is the step-up in trip which should see him improve enough to get his head in front. Conversely, Follow On is dropped in trip today and that may scupper his chance as he ran well over 2m at Kempton last time. He was returning from a break that day and he looked in need of the run, but he is sure to strip fitter here and is worth consideration. Sgt Schultz should be capable of making the frame but he remains a maiden after 19 starts and the percentage call has to be to take him on again. Stanerra's Story showed promise on his debut and is worth a look in the market, but Soul Blazer should come into his own over this trip and he is nominated as the one to beat.
Follow On 8-1 (9-3) In touch, went 2nd 3f out to 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 10, 8l behind Linden Lime (8-11) at Kempton 2m hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
Master'n Commander 14-1 (8-9) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 2f out, stayed on well final furlong to take 2nd post, not trouble winner, 2nd of 14, 2l behind The Fonze (7-13) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Jun.
Stanerra's Story (IRE) 13-2 (9-4) Tracked leaders, led 4f out, headed over 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 10, 3/4l behind Can Can Star (9-3) at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn aut stk (6) pol.
Tres Bien 14-1 (9-7) Dwelt, soon led, headed well over 3f out, weakened quickly, last of 10, 31l behind Sunset Boulevard (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol.
Lord Laing (USA) 20-1 (8-7) Held up, headway 4f out, effort 2f out, edged right over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Street Life (9-4) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-65 (6) pol.
Sgt Schultz (IRE) 11-2 (9-8) Tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Power of Future (9-13) at W'hampton 1m 6f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Nov.
Soul Blazer (USA) 7-1 (9-1) Tracked leaders, ridden along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 11, 7l behind Magic Warrior (8-11) at Kempton 1m hcp 0-70 (5) pol in Dec.
Watchmaker 9-2 (9-3) Slowly into stride, hung left 2 out, ridden 4f out, headway 3f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 9, 10l behind Evolve (8-12) at Kempton 1m 3f mdn aut stk (6) pol.
Remis Velisque 20-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, in rear, never in contention, 7th of 10, 18l behind Sunset Boulevard (9-3) at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol.
