mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, one pace final 2f
in touch, pushed along over 3f out, effort 2f out, no extra final furlong
tracked leader, effort 2f out, one pace
tracked leaders, pushed along half way, ridden and weakened over 2f out
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed post
mid-division, weakened 3f out
led, hung left and headed over 1f out, rallied inside final furlong, led again post
towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, kept on final furlong, never dangerous
Stage School has the potential to progress and can land the finale at the expense of Ticki Tori, Vale de Lobo and Fullandby. Stage School is very well bred indeed, being a half-sister to Arazi no less, and although she is unlikely to line up in the Oaks, there should be plenty more successes to come. She simply toyed with the opposition when making most at Catterick on her return, and as she possesses bags of speed, will pay to follow if kept to this sort of trip. She could turn out to be a lot better than the handicap rivals that she meets today, the best of whom may be Ticki Tori who bids to atone after failing to justify odds-on favouritism at Southwell last time. She was third to Maidaani on her York debut last October so has some ability, but has failed to impress since. Vale de Lobo starts the season with her third different trainer and is best watched, while Fullandby was second in an all-weather maiden at Wolverhampton. Passionately Royal, Nepal and Boo have all shown enough to suggest that they can pay their way in handicaps, but connections will surely be disappointed if Stage School cannot see this lot off.
Fullandby (IRE) 25-1 Keen and prominent, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Blue Train at W'hampton 1m 1f mdn stk pol in Apr.
Ticki Tori (IRE) 8-13fav Chased leaders, ridden and every chance when hung left over 1f out, not quicken final furlong, 2nd of 14, 2l behind William Tell at Southwell 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut gs in Apr.
Vale de Lobo 20-1 Raced stand side, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Merchant at Newmarket 1m 2yo hcp (C) sft in Aug.
Stage School (USA) Evensfav Led, headed over 4f out, led again after 2f out, soon ridden, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Catterick 7f 3yo mdn sft in Apr beating Peters Delite by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Bentley Brook (IRE) 14-1 Led, ridden over 2f out, headed just over 1f out, stayed on not pace of winner, 2nd of 17, 2l behind Industrial Spirit at Warwick 1m 3yo mdn gs in Apr.
Nepal (IRE) 10-1 Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, soon ridden, headed well inside final furlong, no extra, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Venetian Lullaby at Newcastle 1m mdn fll sft in Apr.
Passionately Royal 20-1 Made all, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Beverley 7f 3yo hcp gd in Apr beating Flaxby by 2l, 10 ran.
Boo 6-1 Mid-division, headway 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 1f out, kept on, no impression, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Hamaasy at Musselburgh 7f mdn stk gs in Mar.
