chased leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out
made all, ridden clear over 1f out
slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway on inside to go 3rd well over 2f out, soon ridden, weakened final furlong
tracked leaders, chased winner halfway, ridden and weakened approaching final furlong
raced wide in touch, outpaced over 3f out, soon ridden, driven and hung left over 1f out, kept on to take 4th final furlong
held up, headway well over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on, no chance with winner
Plenty in with chances in this trappy affair however we will side with Dudley Docker to complete the hat-trick at the main expense of Exit Smiling. The selection has won his last two in game fashion and he looks sure to run his race again despite this higher mark now back on the all-weather. He is a horse in form and with jockey Neil Callan aboard, he is fancied to win again. Exit Smiling won over course and distance around this time last year and advertised his well-being with a win at Nottingham last week. Call My Bluff and Lucky Lover are two others in with place claims at least, whilst Rowan Lodge could go well fresh as he has in the past. An open contest then can go to Dudley Docker.
Dudley Docker (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (8-12) Held up, headway 2f out, led over 1f out, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Southwell 7f hcp 0-70 (5) gd beating Musicmaestroplease (8-7) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Luckylover 4-1 (9-0) Tracked winner, joined winner 5f out to over 2f out and ridden, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Future's Dream (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar.
Call My Bluff (FR) 13-2 (9-8) Steady start, in rear, headway over 1f out, carried left and keeping on, held when hampered close home, 3rd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Pop Music (8-7) at W'hampton 1m 1f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Jan.
Rowan Lodge (IRE) 12-1 (8-13) Held up behind, never dangerous, 12th of 14, 18l behind Mezuzah (9-3) at Nottingham 1m hcp 0-80 (4) hvy in Oct.
Superior Star 22-1 (8-5) Chased leaders, one pace final furlong, 6th of 16, 6l behind Esthlos (8-6) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Mar.
Shifty 4-1 (7-10) Chased leaders, ridden halfway, soon struggling, weakened 2f out, 6th of 7, 22l behind Future's Dream (9-2) at Southwell 1m hcp 0-75 (5) fbs in Mar.
Exit Smiling 16-1 (8-8) Held up, ridden over 2f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, kept on, won at Newcastle 1m hcp 0-80 (4) gd beating Little Jimbob (9-2) by 3/4l, 17 ran.