soon tracking leader, led inside final 3f, clear 2f out, stayed on strongly
led until inside final 3f, soon ridden, lost 2nd over 2f out, soon weakened
never travelled and ridden along most of way, raced in 5th until lost place inside final mile, rallied on outside 6f out, 3rd briefly over 3f out, soon weakened
held up in last pair, headway on outside over 2f out, stayed on into 2nd entering final furlong, no chance with winner
tracked leaders on inside, weakened over 2f out
tracked leaders, ridden and went 2nd approaching final 2f, no chance with winner, lost 2nd entering final furlong, weakened
steadied start, held up in rear, passed beaten horses from over 1f out, never any chance
None of these three-year-olds have raced over this far and Sophar Sogood has been raised 15lb since winning at Southwell last year having found one too good in all four subsequent outings. Saracen Star is 3lb higher for winning over 1m4f at Lingfield with Paint It Black well beaten but should have the required stamina while the latter comment also applies to STAGIAIRE. She posted her best effort so far upped to 1m4f in novice company last time and Ralph Beckett’s filly is expected to improve now handicapping for the first time. Batalha, Justified and Deposit also make their handicap debuts with the former preferred.
Stagiaire 12-1 (9-0) Slight lead over 2f, tracked leaders, 3rd and one pace when rider dropped rein over 1f out, kept on, just missed 2nd, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Pale King (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 4f stks (5) pol in Mar.
Batalha 33-1 (9-5) Led, hung left under pressure and headed 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 11, 5 1/4l behind Celestran (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (5) pol in Nov.
Justified 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders on outside, lost place over 3f out, soon behind, tailed off final furlong, last of 14, dist behind Eastern Sheriff (9-3) at Kempton 1m stks (6) pol in Nov.
Deposit (IRE) 25-1 (9-5) Held up towards rear, effort over 1f out, never dangerous, 9th of 12, 8l behind Make It Rain (9-0) at Kempton 1m mdn stks (5) pol in Dec.
Saracen Star 6-1 (9-1) Held up mid-division, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headway over 2f out, led inside final furlong, soon narrowly headed, led near finish, won at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Mar beating Dame Denali (8-7) by hd, 11 ran.
Paint It Black 16-1 (9-4) Held up and behind on inside, short-lived effort well over 1f out, 9th of 11, 6 1/2l behind Saracen Star (9-1) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Roman's Empress (IRE) 33-1 (9-1) Raced wide towards rear, pushed along over 2f out, never on terms, 10th of 13, 8 1/2l behind Bavardages (9-6) at Kempton 7f (6) pol in Oct.
Sophar Sogood (IRE) 4-1 (8-4) Led until over 1f out, rallied to lead again inside final furlong, headed post, 2nd of 6, shd behind Believe In Love (9-3) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
