towards rear, headway on outer 2f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to take 2nd, closing on winner towards finish
pulled hard in touch, hampered and checked soon after start, behind, headway and short of room approaching final furlong, stayed on inside final furlong
towards rear, ridden over 2f out and in touch, no impression over 1f out, weakened
chased leader, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, headed inside final furlong, no extra and weakened well inside final furlong
led until headed approaching final furlong, weakened rapidly
chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, ran on to lead inside final furlong, driven out
in rear, still last over 1f out, ran on strongly inside final furlong, not reach leaders
raced wide in touch, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, soon under pressure, weakened over 1f out
If Secret Night is back on her best behaviour then she looks capable of taking this nursery from What Do You Know, Stoneacre Lad and Orchard Supreme. The selection won a similar contest over course and distance last month, but failed to settle at the start last time and scuppered her chances in the race won by Matuza. That runner has franked the form and despite her penalty, Secret Night looks to have a few pounds in hand over these rivals provided she settles here. The biggest danger could come from What Do You Know, who won here on debut last time and who is open to a fair bit of improvement after a break. Stoneacre Lad was withdrawn the other day in favour of coming here for this race, and he has won at both Southwell and Wolverhampton, with the latter suggesting he may also act here. He has gone up a stone for those two wins but looks sure to go well again here. Of the remainder, Orchard Supreme makes some appeal after three successive seconds, all by narrow margins. There does not seem to be a problem with his attitude and he will get his nose in front again soon, so that would not be a shock. However, Secret Night looks to have a bit in hand and we take her to score.
Secret Night 9-4 (9-2) Started slowly, held up, in touch over 2f out, soon ridden and no impression on leaders, 7th of 10, 5l behind Matuza (8-8) at Lingfield 6f nov stk (5) pol in Nov.
What Do You Know 33-1 (9-0) Held up and behind, headway and switched right approaching final furlong, ran on to lead near finish, won at W'hampton 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) pol in Oct beating Cloud Atlas (9-0) by a nk, 12 ran.
Kings Cavalier (USA) 2-1 (9-0) Lead, ridden and headed over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 6, 7l behind Rochdale (9-0) at Goodwood 6f 2yo mdn aut (5) gf in Aug.
Stoneacre Lad (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Chased leader, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ridden out, won at Southwell 5f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) fbs beating Lucayos (8-6) by a nk, 11 ran.
Highland Song (IRE) 14-1 (9-2) Led until hard pressed over 1f out, headed narrowly well inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Matuza (8-8) at Lingfield 6f nov stk (5) pol in Nov.
Orchard Supreme 10-3jt-fav (8-9) Held up, headway over 2f out, chased winner for final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 12, 3/4l behind Jimmy The Guesser (9-3) at W'hampton 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol.
African Concerto (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Mid-division, ridden and weakened over 2f out, last of 12, 21l behind Queen's Best (8-9) at Newmarket 6f 2yo mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Perfect Order (USA) 50-1 (7-12) Always in rear, 10th of 12, 7l behind Secret Night (9-2) at Lingfield 6f 2yo hcp 0-85 (4) pol in Nov.
