tracked leaders, raced freely, pushed along and lost place over 2f out, held over 1f out
dwelt, in rear, raced freely, headway over 2f out, ridden in 4th over 1f out, kept on until no extra closing stages
chased leaders early, midfield after 2f, headway 2f out, closed to lead over 1f out, ran on until pressed well inside final furlong, just held on
held up, pushed along under 3f out, ridden and hung left over 2f out, soon beaten
chased leaders early, in touch after 1f, pushed along and headway well over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, ran on well final furlong and pressed winner closing stages, just failed
tracked leader, shaken up and outpaced by leaders under 2f out, ridden over 1f out and soon held
led, niggled along over 2f out, pressed under 2f out, headed over 1f out, kept on same pace
HOMER STOKES is one of two unexposed members of the field with only four starts to his name as he sets out on his four-year-old campaign. He overcame a decent break to oblige at Southwell last month and should have more to offer after such a light time of things to date off a mark of 77. Mawkeb is very hard to assess on a first start for Mick Appleby after leaving Owen Burrows, for whom he showed glimmers of ability in three maiden/novice starts. The market may prove the best guide to his chance. Thaayer is respected after coming back to form the last day and Sir Benedict and Distinction have both shown sufficient to suggest they'll take a hand here.
Homer Stokes 15-2 (9-7) Close up, ridden to lead entering final furlong, ran on (ran in poor visibility), won at Southwell 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec beating Sir Maxi (9-7) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Sir Benedict (IRE) 28-1 (8-12) Steadied and switched left start, held up towards rear, never near leaders, 7th of 10, 4 1/4l behind Kind Review (9-6) at Southwell 6f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
Old News 8-1 (9-1) Held up on outer, pushed along 2f out and soon outpaced, some headway 1f out, no further impression, 5th of 7, 5 3/4l behind Maywake (8-10) at Newcastle 7f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Bulls Aye (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Close up, mistake 4th, pushed along 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Skycutter (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m (2) gs in Dec.
Mawkeb (USA) 2-1 (9-2) Slowly into stride, in rear, ridden over 3f out, switched left over 2f out, went 5th inside final furlong, never dangerous, 5th of 10, 13l behind Cu Chulainn (9-2) at Kempton 1m 3f stks (5) pol in Oct.
Distinction (IRE) 5-1 (8-11) Raced wide close up, slightly outpaced 3f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Homer Stokes (9-7) at Southwell 7f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Thaayer 28-1 (9-4) Led over 5f out, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 3rd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Lucayan (9-3) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
