held up in touch, headway to lead over 2f out, soon clear, eased final furlong
slowly into stride, held up in touch, ridden and effort 2f out, one pace under pressure
towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, one pace when not much room over 1f out, no impression
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, headway and effort over 2f out, one pace final furlong
tracked leader, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong
mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
slowly into stride, always behind
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, headway under pressure over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong to go 2nd close home
raced keen in touch, ridden over 2f out, one pace final furlong
Stoic Leader sprung a surprise when landing a mile handicap at Haydock on Saturday but, if in the same mood, can take this under a penalty and is given the vote over Smith N Allan Oils and Regent's Secret. The last mentioned has slipped to a fair mark and may improve again having looked in need of the run first time out and run better for it last time. Smith N Allan Oils and Mon Secret have both been running well on the all-weather this winter but have more to do off their revised marks back on turf and of more interest may be Hoh's Back, who did not fair as well on the sand and is better treated back on turf as a result, as he showed when chasing home Harry Potter at Thirsk last month. Efidium and General Smith are others worthy of a mention but Stoic Leader won with plenty in hand on Saturday and should be up to defying his penalty.