in touch, ridden 3f out, fading when hampered over 2f out
slowly into stride, ridden over 2f out, headway on outside over 1f out, one pace
held up towards rear, hampered 2f out, headway over 1f out, ran on
towards rear, headway when not clear run, over 1f out, switched right inside and not recover
mid-division, headway 5f out, weakened over 2f out
towards rear, headway over 5f out, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, one pace
tracked leader, led after 1f, ridden over 2f out, kept on ridden out
track leaders and keen, ridden to chase leaders 2f out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway on inside over 1f out, weakneed approaching final furlong
tracked leader and keen, kept on to chase winner final furlong
led and keen, headed after 1f, ridden over 2f out and soon weakened
Stage Manager gets a narrow vote over Dovedon Hero, Dragon Slayer and Tranquilizer in the finale. Quite a few line up with chances here, but the lightly raced Stage Manager may have the scope to progress and is taken to follow up his impressive maiden victory at Lingfield a fortnight ago. That was only his second ever race, and as he had the 69-rated Master 'n Commander four lengths away in third, a handicap mark of 71 does not look at all harsh, given that there is sure to plenty of improvement to come. Dovedon Hero came out best in a close finish at Lingfield last time and seems to have recaptured his form, so should go well, but there have to be doubts about Dragon Slayer staying the trip. Tranquilizer is definitely one to keep on the right side as she was only just touched off here last month on what was only her third outing since October. She remains on the right side of the handicapper, and with Eddie Ahern down to ride, can reach the frame at least, but the improving Stage Manager can bring the curtain down with another win.
Fort Churchill (IRE) 10-3 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 30l behind Winged d'Argent (8-10) at Ayr 1m 5f hcp (D2) gs in Oct '04.
Top Spec (IRE) 11-2 (9-4) Slowly into stride, in rear, headway over 1f out, not reach leaders, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Newnham (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Torrid Kentavr (USA) 20-1 (8-8) Mid-division, outpaced over 3f out, 7th of 9, 22l behind Pass The Port (8-9) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Jan.
Dovedon Hero 13-2 (8-13) Held up, headway 2f out, switched right 1f out, led inside last, held on, won at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol beating Blackmail (8-8) by a hd, 12 ran.
Kavi (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Took keen hold, prominent, not clear run inside final furlong, one pace, 5th of 12, 3l behind Gallant Boy (10-0) at Warwick 1m 5f app hcp (6) gf in Jul.
Dragon Slayer (IRE) 5-1 (8-12) With leader and keen, ridden to lead over 2f out, all out when headed inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1/2l behind Newnham (8-11) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan.
Stage Manager (IRE) 4-1 (8-9) Always prominent, ridden to lead 1f out, soon clear, won at Lingfield 1m 4f mdn stk (5) pol in Jan beating Dubai Ace (9-1) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Tranquilizer 4-1 (8-12) Held up, mid-division, not clear run over 1f out, headway, every chance 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Millagros (8-13) at W'hampton 1m 4f fll hcp (5) pol in Jan.
