slowly into stride and held up, pushed along and headway 2f out, stayed on final furlong
chased leaders to halfway
prominent, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
never better than mid-division
slowly into stride, never a factor
prominent, pushed along 2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on final furlong
tracked leader, ridden to lead briefly over 1f out, soon headed and no extra final furlong
held up mid-division, pushed along over 2f out, stayed on final furlong
mid-division, pushed along 2f out, ran on final furlong to lead close home
towards rear, switched left and headway on inside over 1f out, ran on final furlong
dwelt and behind, soon chased along, some late headway, was never able to challenge
chased leaders, effort over 2f out, soon behind
led, was ridden and headed briefly over 1f out, regained lead and stayed on final furlong until headed close home
The going will play its part here and, assuming that the predicted rain takes the sting out of the ground, a high draw can be overcome by Noodles, who edges the vote over Hidden Star, who finished well after a slow start on his debut, and Heybrook Boy, a stoutly-bred sort that is entitled to have come on enough from his racecourse debut to figure strongly here. There are a few newcomers to watch out for as the likes of Good Investment and Along The Nile hail from very shrewd yards that are capable of getting one ready to go at the first time of asking at this level. However, as with many races of this type, experience does count for plenty at this stage and Noodles, who responded well to the visor at Carlisle last time, holds a valuable edge over his main rivals. A brother to juvenile winner Quizzical Lady, Tim Easterby's charge gave a well regarded type from Mark Johnston's yard a real scare during his latest start - only conceding second best as they came up the stiff finish at Carlisle. The demands of this course have very similar requirements and, as one that has proved himself capable of finding a turn of foot when racing uphill, Noodles can hold them all at bay if the headgear works again today.
