tracked leading pair, 2nd travelling well over 2f out, led 2f out, over 3 lengths clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly, very easily
tracked leader, closed 4f out, every chance and ridden 2f out, lost 2nd over 1f out, weakened final furlong, eased
held up in 5th, headway on outside over 2f out, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out until inside final furlong, kept on same pace in 3rd, no chance with winner
raced keenly, held up in 4th on inside, pushed along over 3f out, headway under pressure inside final 2f, went 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
raced keenly, led and set steady pace, pushed along and tried to quicken 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Crystal Ocean will be a short price for this after winning over a trip too short on his reappearance in the Gordon Richards at Sandown. He’s the one to beat but has picked up a penalty and that may have opened the door slightly for SECOND STEP, who is a very decent performer when he gets his favoured quick ground. He won Listed races in similar conditions at Goodwood and Windsor last year and was just beaten in this grade here in September when Scarlet Dragon was behind. Raheen House has run here on four previous occasions and finished second each time but he possibly needs a bit further than this nowadays. Buildmeupbuttercup made a promising start on the Flat at Goodwood but Mick Channon’s bumper winner needs to take a further step forward and has no form on going this quick.
Crystal Ocean Evensfav (9-0) Dwelt, soon tracked leader and keen, led over 2f out, ridden and narrowly headed 2f out, sustained battle with 2nd throughout final furlong, won on the nod, won at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 stks (1) gs in Apr beating Fabricate (9-0) by shd, 6 ran.
Raheen House (IRE) 3-1 (9-1) Soon held up in 4th place, never on terms, pushed along over 2f out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 19 1/2l behind Torcedor (9-2) at Ascot 2m Grp 3 stks (1) sft in May.
Scarlet Dragon 11-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, held up in rear, shaken up before 3 out, soon beaten, 9th of 13, 32 3/4l behind Lalor (11-4) at Aintree 2m (1) sft in Apr.
Second Step (IRE) 9-2fav (9-3) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 1f out, soon edging left and every chance until winner went on inside final furlong, kept on in 2nd, held, 2nd of 11, nk behind Desert Encounter (9-3) at Newbury 1m 3f Grp 3 stks (1) gd in Sep.
Buildmeupbuttercup 10-1 (9-0) Took keen hold, held up in last pair, headway on inside over 3f out, soon tracking leaders going well, 4th and one pace inside final furlong, 4th of 9, 3 1/4l behind Isabel De Urbina (9-0) at Goodwood 1m 4f lst fll stks (1) gs in May.
