tracked leaders on rail, looking for room and switched left approaching final 2f, not clear run and switched left again inside final furlong, kept on, never able to threaten
raced on near side rail, made virtually all, ridden and strongly pressed from over 1f out, ran on gamely
with winner, ridden and every chance throughout final furlong, no extra in 3rd in closing stages
chased leaders on outer, ridden over 1f out, every chance throughout final furlong, just held
chased leaders, pushed along halfway, ridden and outpaced 2f out, weakened
very awkwardly away and virtually refused to race, allowed to canter home
outpaced and always in rear
went left start, held up in last pair, headway on rail when no room from 2f out, running on when not clear run and switched left inside final furlong, soon hampered, never able to challenge
always about same place in 5th or 6th, pushed along on outside halfway, never on terms
Stake Acclaim won this off a similar mark in soft ground last year but hasn’t raced since September when finishing behind Dark Shot at Ascot. The latter is 7lb higher on his return. Secretfact was raised a further 6lb after landing a double at Bath in the same month. EXCELLENT GEORGE (NAP) has the more recent form when narrowly beaten over the minimum trip at Wolverhampton last month. He may prove good enough today though Stepper Point can bounce back at any time as he slips further down the weights.
Dark Shot 4-1fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, stands side, driven over 1f out, squeezed through on stands rail and headway inside final furlong, soon ridden, ran on to lead near finish, won at Ascot 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep beating Majestic Hero (9-7) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Stepper Point 11-10fav (9-10) Dwelt raced wide tracked leaders, disputed 2nd after 2f, carried wide into straight 2f out, ridden and kept on one pace, 4th of 5, 5 1/4l behind Monumental Man (9-6) at Lingfield 5f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Stake Acclaim (IRE) 6-1 (9-6) Prominent, far side, every chance 2f out to over 1f out, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 12, 8 1/4l behind Dark Shot (8-12) at Ascot 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Waseem Faris (IRE) 28-1 (8-13) Towards rear, headway over 1f out, kept on same pace, 10th of 19, 3 1/4l behind Robot Boy (9-7) at York 5f hcp stks (3) gd in Oct.
Excellent George 5-2fav (9-6) Close up, wide and headway over 1f out, ridden and every chance inside final furlong, not quicken near finish, 2nd of 11, hd behind Foxy Forever (9-8) at Wolverhampton 5f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Bahamian Heights 33-1 (8-13) Slowly away, always behind, 8th of 11, 9l behind Mazzini (9-6) at Kempton 6f hcp (4) pol in Nov.
King Of Swing 16-1 (9-4) Always towards rear, 11th of 12, 15l behind Major Valentine (9-3) at Kempton 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Secretfact 6-1 (9-1) In touch, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, held on close home, won at Bath 5f hcp (5) gs in Sep beating Dusty Blue (9-3) by shd, 10 ran.
Stormflower 10-1 (9-7) Raced wide, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, faded final furlong, 6th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Picansort (9-0) at Lingfield 5f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
