held up, ridden halfway, stayed on final furlong
led, ridden and headed inside final furlong, no extra
prominent, ridden to lead inside final furlong
held up, ridden and headway halfway, weakened over 1f out
held up in touch, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong
close up, ridden halfway, weakened 1f out
close up, ridden and every chance over 1f out, stayed on near finish
prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
keen early, outpaced after 2f
chased leaders over 3f
slowly into stride, headway over 1f out, never nearer
held up, outpaced after 2f, never dangerous
A tricky opener can go to So Sober, who edges a narrow verdict over Royal Nite Owl and Pleasure Time, who both ran well in defeat in a similar race over course and distance a fortnight ago and hold place claims if running up to that level. Arctic Burst, a stablemate of the selection, also comes into the reckoning on the best of his form. He has shaped as if a contest of this nature is within him lately and, as he is still very lightly raced, he could have more to offer in this company. However, So Sober does look to be the stronger of the two Derek Shaw-trained runners in the line up and, as two of his four previous career wins have come at this track, it is safe to assume he knows his way home on this surface. Mr Spliffy is effective at this trip and it will be interesting to note if any support comes for him now that he is tried in blinkers for the first time.